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HomePosts Tagged "government of India" (Page 3)
Agro Universities, AgroPolicy

To support Government of India’s efforts in creating long-lasting impact pathways to improve nutrition outcomes amongst the low-income population

New Delhi-based Indian School of Business (ISB) announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India to further strengthen agriculture-nutrition convergence. The collaboration will be led by ISB, the University of Sheffield (UoS) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).  This was formally announced by Manoj Ahuja, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, at an event in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

ISB will anchor this collaboration in the Ministry which will further augment the government’s efforts in improving nutrition outcomes and strengthening agriculture-nutrition convergence while establishing an institutional mechanism to identify convergence opportunities at both central and state levels.

Over a five-year period, UoS, LHSTM, & ISB, along with ISB’s implementation partners – CInI-TATA Trusts, MSC and PDAG, will work towards the vision to increase the accessibility, availability, and affordability of Nutrient-Dense Foods for low-income population in underserved areas through agriculture-nutrition policy convergence, such that improving nutrition outcomes amongst the target audience becomes a stable policy outcome over an extended time horizon.

Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said, “The need to improve nutrition, particularly of the underprivileged population, is of prime importance. There must be convergence of policies and programmes in agriculture and nutrition to address this pressing need. I am happy we are embarking on this journey with the consortium led by ISB; the Ministry will fully support this collaboration to strengthen research and policy for improved nutrition outcomes.”

Prof Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB), said, “The needle on nutrition in India has been hard to move. The collaboration, with a focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods (NDFs) such as fruits & vegetables (F&Vs) and animal source foods (ASFs), will support Government of India’s efforts in creating long-lasting impact pathways to improve nutrition outcomes amongst the low-income population”.

To support Government of India's efforts in

Country, India, Sugar industry, World

As of October 31, 2022, more than 96 per cent of cane dues of farmers for SS 2021-22 have already been cleared despite record procurement of sugarcane of more than Rs 1.18 lakh crore

The government of India has allowed the export of sugar up to 60 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) during the sugar season (SS) 2022-23. The Director General of Food Trade (DGFT) has already been notified to extend the inclusion of sugar exports under the ‘Restricted’ category up to October 31, 2023.

The Central Government has prioritised the availability of about 275 (LMT) of sugar for domestic consumption, about 50 LMT of sugar for diversion to ethanol production and has a closing balance of about 60 LMT as of 30.09.2023. A balanced quantity of sugar produced by sugar mills in the country would be allowed for exports. Since at the beginning of sugar season 2022-23, initial estimates of sugarcane production are available, it has been decided to allow the export of 60 LMT sugar. The sugarcane production in the country will be reviewed periodically and based on the latest available estimates, the quantity of sugar exports to be allowed could be reconsidered.

During SS 2021-22, India exported 110 LMT of sugar and became the second largest exporter of sugar in the world and earned about Rs 40,000 crore worth of foreign exchange for the country. Timely payment and low carrying cost of stocks for sugar mills also resulted in early clearance of cane arrears of farmers. As of October 31, 2022, more than 96 per cent of cane dues of farmers for SS 2021-22 were already cleared despite record procurement of sugarcane of more than 1.18 lakh crore rupees.

In the sugar export policy for SS 2022-23, Government has announced a sugar mill-wise export quota for all sugar mills in the country with an objective system based on the average production of sugar mills in the last three years and the average sugar production of the country in last 3 years. Further, to expedite the sugar exports and to ensure flexibility to sugar mills in the execution of the export quota, mills may decide to surrender the quota partially or fully within 60 days of the date of issue of the order or they can swap the export quota with domestic quota within 60 days.

At the end of Sugar Season 2022-23, it is expected that most sugar mills will be able to sell their products either in the domestic market or in the international market through exports and will clear the cane dues of farmers in time. Thus, the policy has created a WIN-WIN situation for sugar mills in the country.

As of October 31, 2022, more than

AgroPolicy, India, Interaction

In an interaction with AgroSpectrum India, Vijay Sardana, a renowned techno-legal advisor on agribusinesses, explains the key dimensions of agriculture along with the action points that such committees should undertake. Edited excerpts.

Post the repeal of the farm laws last year, the centre was tasked with the forming of a committee to give suggestions on making minimum support price (MSP) more effective, giving more autonomy to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and to suggest measures to strengthen the agricultural marketing system. The committee had its first meeting in August and created sub-groups to examine the important issues hindering the business of agriculture. In an interaction with AgroSpectrum India, Vijay Sardana, a renowned techno-legal advisor on agribusinesses, explains the key dimensions of agriculture along with the action points that such committees should undertake. Edited excerpts.

Can you brief us about how MSP works and the role played by the government for its effective functioning?

There are a lot of issues surrounding agriculture, one of them being the remunerative prices given to farmers.  Here we have to consider the fact that price is a factor of market forces and the government itself cannot play around with the same beyond a certain bandwidth. One classical yet reverse example to explain the case in point is the recent losses being incurred by petroleum companies in the event of the government trying to control it. The Public Sector Units (PSUs), however, are not impacted by such a move as the losses are later absorbed by the government through sacrificed losses or recapitalisation. But the private players have to bear the brunt in such a case, thus being a testament to this theory that remains true in the business of agriculture as well.

What are the possible ways of fixing the demand-supply imbalance to improve the business aspect of agriculture? Can you also shed light on the implications in the event of not doing so?

Creating a demand for the crop is important to avoid crashing of prices due to a demand-supply imbalance.  This is being done by the government through the Public Distribution System (PDS) or Food Security Mission, which is already a saturated mechanism. The second way is through creation of export opportunities and to provide an outlet for the surplus when the international prices are high. The government pursued the latter this year which ultimately led to the crop prices being higher than MSP. The major problem arises in a reverse case when international prices are low and there is more production in the country. In such a case, the government cannot buy all the crops at MSP because it lacks the financial resources to do so. And even if the centre is willing to somehow deploy resources, the same cannot be implemented keeping in mind the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In the event of not following the regulations, the country can be subjected to reverse pressures and penalties on other exports like marine and software to name a few.  Therefore, when demanding a certain MSP, the farmers should consider all the legalities involved as it’s not a matter of requesting charity from the government but a simple play of demand and supply and the resultant global implications.

How can crop diversification be encouraged for better agribusinesses?

We can consider the classical example of wheat which is one of the controversial crops and has a surplus production in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and some parts in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The farmers have been growing this in excess for the last 30 years knowing its low profitability in markets. This is because the commission agents are paid around 4-8 per cent interest by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for procuring wheat and paddy. The farmers can instead grow mustard which is in short supply and can be cultivated under similar climatic conditions as wheat. Its production is far from profitable and hassle-free in terms of less use of water and fertilisers. But crop diversification is completely being overlooked when it is one of the biggest remedies to solve the business woes of agriculture.

To resolve this, the foremost thing is to impart education to farmers to strengthen their business and economies of scale of the country as a whole. Secondly, better coordination between the farmers and the industry is required at large to which no state government is paying any heed. In this respect, the three farm laws were very important for bringing together the farmers and traders to eliminate the role of middlemen and foster better business growth in the long run. Thus, there is a crisis due to complete lack of education and communication wherein farmers need to be particularly taught about the economies of agriculture and not only about the economies of production. These two factors work in tandem with each other and cannot be left in silos.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

In an interaction with AgroSpectrum India, Vijay

Acts & Schemes – Centre, India, Start ups

Agri startups one of key partners to boost agriculture exports

Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State (Agriculture and Farmers Welfare), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India said that soon an accelerator programme of Rs 500 crore will be started to take forward the successful initiatives of Agri Startups in which DARE, DPIIT, Agri Incubators, agriculture universities, research institutes, investors and other stakeholders will be included.

Choudhary said that there will be a separate division of Agriculture Startup to be set up in the Ministry to be led by Joint Secretary. “A cell will also be created to work as a single window agency to facilitate all the linkages required for agri startups,” he added.

Dr Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, GoI, emphasised that increasing agriculture exports is a national imperative and Agri startups are potential partners in this journey. Efforts are being made to promote and support agri startups for engagement in agri exports and strengthening of the startup ecosystem.

Agri startups one of key partners to

AgroPolicy, Finance, Schemes - Govt

It will ensure sustainability of credit flow in the agriculture sector as well as ensure financial health and viability of the lending institutions.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved to restore Interest Subvention on short term agriculture loans to 1.5 per cent for all financial institutions. Thus, Interest Subvention of 1.5 per cent will be provided to lending institutions (Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Bank, Small Finance Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks and Computerized PACS directly ceded with commercial banks) for the financial year 2022-23 to 2024-25 for lending short term agri-loans up to Rs 3 lakh to the farmers.

This increase in Interest Subvention support requires additional budgetary provisions of Rs 34,856 crore for the period of 2022-23 to 2024-25 under the scheme.

Increase in Interest Subvention will ensure sustainability of credit flow in the agriculture sector as well as ensure financial health and viability of the lending institutions especially Regional Rural Banks & Cooperative Banks, ensuring adequate agriculture credit in rural economy.

Banks will be able to absorb increase in cost of funds and will be encouraged to grant loans to farmers for short term agriculture requirements and enable more farmers to get the benefit of agriculture credit.  This will also lead to generation of employment since short term agri-loans are provided for all activities including Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Poultry, fisheries.

Farmers will continue to avail short term agriculture credit at interest rate of 4 per cent per annum while repaying the loan in time.

Keeping in view the changing economic scenario, especially increase in the interest rate and lending rates for the financial institutions especially Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks, The Government has reviewed the rate of Interest subvention provided to these Financial Institutions. It is expected that this will ensure adequate credit flow in agriculture sector to the farmer as well as ensure financial health of lending institutions.

To address this challenge, Government of India has proactively decided to restore Interest Subvention on short term agriculture loans to 1.5 per cent for all financial institutions.

It will ensure sustainability of credit flow

AgroPolicy, Bee keeping

 Events will focus on encouraging farmers towards honey farming by ensuring quality production.

To harness the export potential of honey in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘sweet revolution’ through promotion of beekeeping and allied activities, the government has planned to organise a series of events across the country in collaboration with state governments and farmers.

One such event is scheduled to be organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for export promotion of honey involving exporters, stakeholders and government officials in Chandigarh, where focus would be to encourage farmers towards honey farming by ensuring quality production.

Given the manifold rise in honey consumption across the globe especially after the pandemic due to its natural immunity booster characteristics and a healthier alternative to sugar, APEDA is aiming is to boost honey exports through ensuring quality production and market expansion to new countries as at present, India’s natural honey exports are majorly dependent on one market, the United States, that account for more than 80 percent of the exports.

As a part of the government’s AtmaNirbhar Bharat initiative to boost honey production, the government has approved an allocation of Rs 500 crore for the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) for three years (2020-21 to 2022-23).

 Events will focus on encouraging farmers towards

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Machinery – Post-harvesting

Time limit for the testing process of tractors used for Agriculture will be slashed from nine months to just 75 working days.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has reduced the time limit for the testing process of tractors used for Agriculture from nine months to just 75 working days. This development comes as a big gift for the agriculture sector during the celebration of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” on 75th year of India’s Independence.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and on the directions of the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, the Ministry / Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has taken this positive initiative in order to promote mechanization in the agriculture sector in the country and to ensure the availability of suitable tractors for the farmers. In order to implement the new, effective and speedy testing process of tractor testing, revised guidelines have been issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to the Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (CFMTTI), Budni and other concerned officers, which will be effective from 15th August, 2022.

Time limit for the testing process of

AgroPolicy, Sugar industry

To increase income of farmers, Government has increased FRP by more than 34% in past 8 years.

Keeping in view interest of sugarcane farmers (Ganna Kisan), the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for sugar season 2022-23 (October – September) at Rs. 305/qtl for a basic recovery rate of 10.25 per cent, providing a premium of Rs 3.05/qtl for each 0.1 per cent increase in recovery over and above 10.25 per cent, & reduction in FRP by Rs. 3.05/qtl for every 0.1% decrease in recovery. However, the Government with a view to protect interest of sugarcane farmers has also decided that there shall not be any deduction in case of sugar mills where recovery is below 9.5 per cent. Such farmers will get Rs 282.125/qtl for sugarcane in ensuing sugar season 2022-23 in place of Rs. 275.50/qtl in current sugar season 2021-22. FRP of sugarcane is fixed to ensure a guaranteed price to sugarcane growers. Government has increased FRP by more than 34% in past 8 years.

The A2 + FL cost of production of sugarcane (i.e actual paid out cost plus imputed value of family labour) for the sugar season 2022-23 is Rs 162/qtl. This FRP of Rs. 305/qtl at a recovery rate of 10.25 per cent is higher by 88.3 per cent over cost of production, thereby ensuring the promise of giving the farmers a return of more than 50 per cent over their cost. The FRP for sugar season 2022-23 is 2.6 per cent higher than current sugar season 2021-22.

Decision will benefit 5 crore sugarcane farmers (Ganna Kisan) and their dependents, as well as 5 lakh workers employed in the sugar mills and related ancillary activities. 9 years back, FRP was only Rs 210/ qtl in sugar season 2013-14 & only about 2397 LMT of sugarcane was purchased by sugar mills. Farmers were getting only about Rs. 51,000 cr from sale of sugarcane to sugar mills. However, in past 8 years Government has increased FRP by more than 34 per cent. In the current sugar season 2021-22, about 3,530 lakh tons of sugarcane of worth Rs. 1,15,196 crores was purchased by sugar mills, which is at all-time high.

To increase income of farmers, Government has

AgroPolicy, Supply Chain, Transportation

For Indian freighters and P2C (Passenger-to-Cargo) Aircraft primarily around 25 airports focusing on North Eastern, Hilly and Tribal region and 28 airports in other regions/areas.

For facilitating and incentivising movement of agri-produce by air transportation, Airports Authority of India (AAI) provides full waiver of Landing, Parking charges, Terminal Navigational Landing Charges (TNLC) and Route Navigation Facility Charges (RNFC) for Indian freighters and P2C (Passenger-to-Cargo) Aircraft primarily around 25 airports focusing on North Eastern, Hilly and Tribal region and 28 airports in other regions/areas. Further, after evaluation of Krishi Udan 2.0 five more airports have been included, making it to 58 airports. Currently, Prayagraj airport is included under Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0. All perishable commodities are covered under Krishi Udan Scheme in the country.

Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0 was announced on 27 October 2021 enhancing the existing provisions, mainly focusing on transporting perishable food products from the hilly areas, North-Eastern States and tribal areas.

Krishi Udan Scheme is a convergence scheme where eight Ministries/Departments namely Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) would leverage their existing schemes to strengthen the logistics for transportation of Agri-produce. The scheme assists farmers in transporting agriculture products so that it improves their value realisation. Krishi Udan scheme provides air transportation and logistics support for perishable agri-produce as per the need.

For Indian freighters and P2C (Passenger-to-Cargo) Aircraft

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, IT

 Government is providing assistance up to Rs 75 Lakh per mandi for creating infrastructure under e-NAM platform

Government had launched FPO trading module during Covid-19 pandemic to enable FPOs to upload their produce from collection centres/ farm gate with picture/ quality parameter for online bidding without physically bringing their produce to the mandis. So far, 2177 FPOs have been onboarded on National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform.

On 14th July, 2022, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched the Platform of Platforms (PoP) under e-NAM which involves integration of various service providers platform/ on boarding of service providers such as trading, transportation, sorting, grading, Fintech, warehousing and other aspects of value chain etc. to enhance farmers accessibility digitally to multiple number of buyers, service providers etc. PoP will enable Farmers, FPOs, Traders and other stakeholders to access a range of services offered by multiple service providers, thereby increasing choice to the stakeholders.

Further the e-NAM platform is made interoperable with Rashtriya e-Market Services Private Limited (ReMS) platform of Government of Karnataka which will facilitate famers of both platforms to sell their produce in other platform thereby increasing their market access.

Under the e-NAM scheme, Government of India is providing assistance up to Rs 75 Lakh per mandi for related hardware/ infrastructure including for quality assaying equipment and for creation of infrastructure like cleaning, grading, sorting, packaging and compost unit etc. An established quality assaying lab in e-NAM mandis is a requisite for Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) that assess and certify the quality of produce, which helps famers in getting prices commensurate with quality of their produce. Further, provision has been made in FPO trading module wherein FPOs can upload their produce from collection centres/ farm gate with picture/ quality parameters.

 Government is providing assistance up to Rs

AgroPolicy, India, Supply Chain, Warehousing

In the last three years, a total of 2314 projects have been assisted with capacity created of 64.32 Lakh MT under AMI scheme of ISAM.

The Government is implementing Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), a sub-scheme of Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) under which assistance is provided for construction/ renovation of godowns/ warehouses in the rural areas in the States to enhance the storage capacity for agriculture produce. Since 01.04.2001 and up to 30.06.2022, a total of 41,452 storage infrastructure projects (Godowns), with storage capacity of 725.7 Lakh MT for beneficiaries including farmers have been assisted under AMI sub-scheme in the country.

Since 01.04.2001 to 30.06.2022, a total of 37 projects assisted with capacity created of 1.83 Lakh MT in the State of Jharkhand and 1599 projects assisted with capacity created of 31.43 Lakh MT in the State of Rajasthan.

 Under the scheme, Government provides subsidy at the rate of 25 per cent and 33.33 per cent on capital cost of the project based on the category of eligible beneficiary. Assistance is available to Individuals, Farmers, Group of farmers/growers, Agri-preneurs, Registered Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Cooperatives, and state agencies etc. The scheme is demand driven.

Further, Government has approved a Central Sector Scheme of financing facility viz., Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of Rs 1,00,000 Crore to provide a medium-long term loan facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest market infrastructure including warehousing facility and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support. Under the scheme, a total number of 9516 applications for warehouse facilities have been sanctioned for a total amount of Rs 7618 crore which includes sanction of 14 warehouse facilities in the State of Jharkhand for an amount of Rs 9.9 crore. and 550 warehouse facilities in the State of Rajasthan for an amount of Rs 371.8 crores.

In the last three years, a total of 2314 projects have been assisted with capacity created of 64.32 Lakh MT under AMI scheme of ISAM.

In the last three years, a total

AgroPolicy, Supply Chain, Warehousing

Surplus government land identified at 33 locations out of 66 locations tendered under the project

With a view to modernize storage of food grains and to ramp-up the storage capacity for food grains in India, a new model ‘Hub & Spoke’ Model for implementation in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode has been proposed. Under ‘Hub and Spoke Model’ meant for development of wheat silos across the country, the Department of Food & Public Distribution has proposed to develop a capacity of 111.125 LMT of Silos at 249 locations across the country.

The proposed Silos to operate under Design, Build, Fund, Own & Transfer (DBFOT) (FCI’s land) and Design, Build, Fund, Own & Operate (DBFOO) (Land of concessionaire/other agency) mode, through implementing agency i.e., Food Corporation of India (FCI).

As the land acquisition becomes the most crucial part of the DBFOO project, in order to facilitate availability of land to the Concessionaires, this Department took up the issue of identification of suitable surplus land, if any, with the concerned State Governments.

With the sustained efforts of the Department of Food & PD, various meeting with the State Governments and cooperation by the State Governments, some land parcels have been identified by the State Governments for lease/transfer of the same to respective concessionaires under applicable rules.

As on date, Punjab state has confirmed availability of govt/panchayat land at 26 locations i.e., Rajpura, Kalanour (North), Aulakh, Balad Kalan, Gharancho, Nadampur, Tangori, Sundra, Chao Majra, Chilla, Raipur Khurd, Mauli Baidwan (Biotechnology Park), Radiala, Dairi, Dahanasu (High Tech. Cycle Vally), Mattewara, Nasrali, Manewal, Gorsian Qadar Baksh, Naya Nangal, Mulepur, Reona Ucha, Reona Niwan, Mehadian, Wazirabad & Nabipur.

In UP state, 2 locations Auraiya & Badaun have been found suitable after preliminary survey. State of Gujarat has identified one location for construction of Silo at Banaskatha. MP state has identified 4 locations Ujjain, Dhar, Guna & Damoh.

Hub and Spoke Model is a transportation system which consolidates the transportation assets from standalone locations referred to as “Spoke” to a central location named as “Hub” for long distance transportation. Hubs have a dedicated railway siding and container depot facility while the transportation from Spoke to Hub is undertaken through road and from Hub to Hub via rail. This model by harnessing the efficiency of railway siding, promotes cost efficiency through bulk storage & movement, reduces cost and time of handling and transportation and simplifies operational complexities in addition to economic development, infrastructure development & employment generation in the country.

Surplus government land identified at 33 locations

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Sustainable Energy, Transportation

Initiative also includes Green Warehousing utilizing green solutions such as natural light or energy efficiency lighting, automated and compact storage systems and roof top solar.

Government of India is committed to reduce the emissions from shipping sector and promote the development of net zero and low-emission solutions. By 2030, all the Major Ports are to be made fully self-sustainable on electricity. All the energy requirements of the port are to be met through renewable sources. Initiative also includes Green Warehousing utilizing green/ natural solutions such as natural light or energy efficiency lighting, automated and compact storage systems, roof top solar, using HVLS fans and rainwater harvesting, informed Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal in the Lok Sabha.

To develop global standard ports in India, Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 has identified initiatives such as developing world-class Mega Ports, transhipment hubs and infrastructure modernization of ports. MIV 2030 estimates the investments to the tune of Rs. 1,00,000–1,25,000 Crores for capacity augmentation and development of world-class infrastructure at Indian Ports.

The Sagarmala programme is the flagship programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing India’s 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on key international maritime trade routes. As a part of Sagarmala Programme, more than 800 projects at an estimated cost of around Rs. 5.5 lakh crore have been identified for implementation during 2015 to 2035 across all coastal states an Eastern and Western side of the country. Sagarmala projects includes projects from various categories such as modernisation of existing ports and terminals, new ports, terminals, Ro & tourism jetties, enhancement of port connectivity, inland waterways, lighthouse tourism, industrialization around port, skill development, technology centres, etc. Further, under holistic development of coastal districts, a total of 567 projects with an estimated cost of around Rs. 58,000 crores have been identified.

Initiative also includes Green Warehousing utilizing green

AgroPolicy, Org. Chart – Centre

All India retail prices of tomatoes drop by 29% compared to last month and onion down by 9% compared to last year

The all-India retail price of tomato has registered a 29 per cent decline over last month as market arrivals improved with the onset of monsoon rains. The retail price of onion is also largely under control at 9 per cent below last year level.

The government has built up a reserve stock of 2.50 lakh tons of onion in current year which is the highest ever onion buffer stock procured. The procurement for the buffer has helped in preventing mandi price of onion from crashing this year despite a record production of 317.03 lakh tons reported by Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

The onion stocks from the buffer will be released in a calibrated and targeted manner during the lean months (Aug – Dec) to moderate price rise. The stocks will be released through targeted open market sales and also offered to states/UTs and government agencies for supplies through retail outlets. Open market releases will be targeted towards states/cities where prices are increasing over the previous month and also in key mandis to augment the overall availability.

All India retail prices of tomatoes drop