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Wednesday / December 4. 2024
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This agreement aims to enhance collaboration in agricultural marketing and supply chain management in Meghalaya.

The Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board, Government of Meghalaya, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mother Dairy Fruits and Vegetables Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). This agreement aims to enhance collaboration in agricultural marketing and supply chain management in Meghalaya.

The signing witnessed the attendance of Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister, Dr. Vijay Kumar D., IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Dr  Meenesh Shah, Chairman & Managing Director, National Dairy Development Board, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Govt. of Meghalaya, Shri Manish Bandlish, Managing Director, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd; officials from the agriculture department and allied departments amongst others.

Conrad K Sangma,Chief Minister, expressed optimism about the MoU’s success, highlighting its potential to establish a long-term partnership. “We are delighted with this MoU, as its scope will enhance logistics, significantly reducing transit time for our produce to reach larger markets.

This partnership seeks to address the major challenges faced by the state and its farming community by enhancing direct market connectivity and improving post-harvest care, with experts from Mother Dairy working closely with the state to upgrade current management practices. The collaboration will also focus on crop research and development, including varietal improvements and productivity, optimizing logistics costs by procuring multiple types of produce, and marketing the ‘Meghalaya brand’ in Delhi. Additionally, the partnership aims to further strengthen the dairy sector, fruit and vegetable value chains, and the organic sector in the state.

Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman and Managing Director, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) said, “Mother Dairy will also support varietal improvement and shelf-life extension to boost productivity along with value-added processing. Dr Shah also stated that NDDB will continue to support empowering farmers by providing them direct market access for their produce. The agricultural products from Meghalaya as well as North Eastern States, most suited to be organic, would definitely be brought into its ambit ensuring better and remunerative prices to farmers he said.

Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Principal Secretary of the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Meghalaya, expressed optimism about the association, noting that this MoU is just the beginning of a larger journey. He emphasized that the dairy sector in Meghalaya still has significant potential for development.

Dr. Vijay Kumar D., IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, noted Meghalaya’s recent success in exporting fruits, especially pineapples and oranges, to both national and international markets, with this year’s partnership with Mother Dairy proving highly successful. To date, 12 MT of pineapples have been shipped from the state and sold through various Mother Dairy outlets. “With their outlets across the country, we have seen the success of this partnership and foresee the potential to expand our collaboration in selling and processing our produce, as well as in value chain management for various crops, particularly fruits and vegetables,” he said.

To achieve the short-term goals of exporting pineapples, ginger, and mandarins, three project teams have been proposed to address key focus areas with joint committees from Mother Dairy and the Government of Meghalaya. One team will focus on aligning taste with consumer preferences in the Delhi market by improving the supply chain to ensure the right stage of harvest and proper transportation methods to maintain the distinctive Meghalaya flavor. Another team will work on building the ‘Meghalaya Brand Product’ range, emphasizing its unique selling points in the Delhi market, investing in point-of-sale and media, and planning awareness programs. The third team will explore short-term and long-term business partnership opportunities, identify new products, and conduct R&D on existing products based on business insights.

 Manish Bandlish, Managing Director, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd highlighted the role NDDB plays in bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, uniting them on a common platform. “This collaboration showcases our efforts to connect India’s diverse agricultural heritage with urban consumers, offering a variety of premium produce from across states to discerning consumers nationwide and abroad,” he said. Speaking on the overwhelming response the pineapples from Meghalaya at Safal outlets in Delhi received from consumers, Shri Manish Bandlish also expressed that this initiative will expand and include more varieties from the state such as Ginger, Lakadong Turmeric and GI-tagged Khasi Mandarin.

This agreement aims to enhance collaboration in

The conference will delve into cutting-edge topics such as productivity enhancement, digitalisation, sustainable practices, and climate action in the dairy sector.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, NDDB and IDF have jointly organised the three days ‘ First IDF Regional Dairy Conference Asia Pacific 2024’ kickstarted today in Kochi, Kerala.

Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB & Member INC International Dairy Federation welcoming Ministers, Secretaries, President & Director General, IDF, Sponsors, Session Chairs, Invited Speakers, Delegates, Dairy Farmers to the First IDF Regional Dairy Conference Asia Pacific 2024 in Kochi, Kerala said that NDDB is honoured to host this prestigious event under the theme ‘Farmer Centric Innovations in Dairying’ in Kochi, Kerala.

He underscored in his address that dairying is not just an industry; it’s a lifeline for over 1 billion people worldwide, supporting livelihoods and fostering rural economies. In India alone, over 8 crore people are engaged in dairy-related activities, highlighting its critical role in socio-economic development.

He informed that the conference will delve into cutting-edge topics such as productivity enhancement, digitalisation, sustainable practices, and climate action in the dairy sector. He further added that the exhibition featuring transformative products and technologies will showcase the industry’s progress and potential. Let’s leverage this platform to collaborate, exchange ideas, and strategies on overcoming challenges and achieving sustainable growth in the dairy sector.

He also mentioned that this conference will bring together all stakeholders to come up with innovations in areas of improved germplasm, new products development, better health monitoring, advancement in nutrition, livestock quality and quantity & a transparent supply chain network.

During the conference, Member Secretary, INC IDF and Board Member IDF, Dr Shah said that India seized the opportunity to host the inaugural IDF regional dairy conference for Asia Pacific region on the theme ‘Farmer Centric Innovations’.

He informed that the event would see participation of distinguished speakers, policy makers, research from various esteemed global dairy organisations in the event. He also mentioned that Animal Husbandry Ministers & Secretaries from various states will also represent their respective States. Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Dept. of AHD & President INC-IDF, Pier Cristiano Brazzale Brazalle, President IDF and Ms. Laurence Rycken, DG, IDF along with over 1,000 registered delegates from across 25 countries and 400-500 farmers will also grace the 3-day conference. He informed that the event would showcase India’s innovative strives in the sector and will provide platform to 22 organisations & 17 startups to demonstrate their products/activities at the exhibition hosted during the IDF regional event.

The conference will delve into cutting-edge topics

The Mobile Milk Collection & Cooling system is designed for trials and will initially be deployed by the Ladakh Milk Federation.

Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and IDMC Ltd, along with Kenichiro Toyofuku, Director of Suzuki R&D Center India Pvt Ltd (SRDI), flagged off a Mobile Milk Collection & Cooling System at Anand in Gujarat.  A Mobile Milk Collection and Cooling system developed jointly by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Suzuki R&D Centre India Pvt Ltd (SRDI) and IDMC Ltd will be fist used for milk collection in remote parts of Ladakh.

The system with capacity of 300-litre is mounted on a Maruti Suzuki Super vehicle and is powered by the vehicle’s engine. Additionally, a Data Processor-based Milk Collection Unit (DPMCU) is installed on the vehicle, powered by a 100W solar panel.

Dr Shah mentioned that the system will provide automated testing convenience at the farmer’s doorstep, facilitate fair and transparent milk collection, preserve milk quality and ensure the shelf life of milk with immediate on-site cooling. This will also provide access to organised milk procurement systems for dairy farmers in remote or adverse locations and efficiently handle specialised milk types such as cow milk, camel milk, etc.

Dr Shah also informed that the system enhances access to organised milk procurement for dairy farmers in remote or challenging locations, efficiently handling specialized milk types like cow milk and camel milk. The prototype system is designed for trials and will initially be deployed by the Ladakh Milk Federation.

Dr Shah emphasised that the system provides automated milk testing at the farmer’s doorstep, ensuring fair and transparent milk collection, preserving milk quality, and extending the milk’s shelf life through immediate on-site cooling.

Toyofuku noted that this initiative not only provides convenience for mobile milk collection but also contributes to the improvement of milk quality.

The Mobile Milk Collection & Cooling system

 PNB will provide finance to beneficiary organisations (BOs) in the cooperative sector, including milk unions/federations, multi-state cooperatives and producer owned institutions.

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Punjab National Bank (PNB) for providing finance to beneficiary organisations (BOs) in the cooperative sector, including milk unions/federations, multi-state cooperatives, producer owned institutions such as producer companies and NDDB’s subsidiary companies.  S Regupathi, Executive Director, NDDB and Dipankar Mahapatra, General Manager, PNB signed the MoU in the gracious presence of Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB. The agreement will be in effect for a period of 5 years.

 On the occasion, Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB stated that the collaboration between the two organisations is crucial for expansion and development of dairy infrastructure for producer-owned institutions. Investing in dairy infrastructure will undoubtedly bring more efficiencies to the dairy value chain. This will enrich our efforts to find sustainable and innovative solutions to overcome the challenges posed by the increasing demand for milk and milk products.

 The Dairy Board will endorse eligible BOs to PNB for financing and provide technical and advisory support for the preparation of appraisal reports. Additionally, NDDB will offer periodic progress reports to PNB for projects being carried out by NDDB under the consultancy agreement.

 PNB will provide financial assistance in accordance with RBI Guidelines and internal guidelines from time to time on mutually agreed arrangement by way of term loans for development of dairying and other related infrastructure. This includes working capital assistance for the benefit of the BOs and term loans for development of dairy infrastructure, manufacturing of value added products, milk testing, cattle feed and feed supplements, milk transportation, marketing infrastructure, ICT infrastructure, research & development, infrastructure for renewable energy and other infrastructure for enhancing efficiency, packaging of dairy and other related commodities, training centres, dairy equipment manufacturing, biologicals & nutraceuticals, manure management. PNB will offer financial assistance at a competitive rate of interest and also explore the availability of interest subvention under Central/State Govt. Schemes.

 PNB will provide finance to beneficiary organisations

– Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Chief Patron, Agrovision

At the 14th Agrovision Summit, India’s Premier Agri Mega Event, held between November 24 and 27, 2023 at Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV) Ground, Dabha, Nagpur, AgroSpectrum had the opportunity to interact with the stalwart politician and Chief Patron of Agrovision, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways. Gadkari shared his views and ideas to further the aspirations of India’s farmers and citizens alike. His zeal for the empowerment of farmers, focusing on innovations that can benefit the farmers and the agriculture sector at large has, as always, been profound. Edited excerpts:

Could you describe your experience at the recently held 14th Agrovision?

Like the previous 13 editions of Agrovision, the recent edition of this event has also contributed in many ways. Several initiatives were taken in the Agrovision on the technology and information front and efforts were made to ensure that they reach farmers. In the Vidarbha region, where 22 sugar mills had gone into liquidation, I am running three sugar mills. Farmers in Vidarbha are producing nearly 105 tonnes of sugarcane per acre. Our efforts are now to scale up the production to 15 quintals of Soyabean and 20 quintals of cotton per acre. The requirement of orange saplings across India is 2 crore and Vidarbha needs 50 lakh saplings of oranges. But the capacity of the local organisation is only 3 lakhs. We have taken initiative to increase the production of saplings through public-private partnership (PPP) mode & accordingly appointed 12 private agencies to produce disease free good quality saplings. Now they are producing 30 lakh saplings. Efforts are being made to increase it. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is setting up a Rs 537 crore mega milk processing plant in Butibori, Nagpur, which will have a capacity to process up to 10 lakh litres of milk per day. Its foundation stone was laid during the 14th Agrovision. This indicates that the NDDB is confident of procuring this much milk in Vidarbha. This is happening due to a conference on dairy development which we organise every year during Agrovision. In addition to the information and training for more and better-quality production, this year we have stressed value addition through processing and forming Farmers Producers Companies (FPCs) for marketing. Special sessions were organised for the same.

This Agrovision also saw some very interesting products like bamboo chip machines to make white coal, cars and bikes running totally on ethanol, biodiesel-based power generation sets and small tractors. What we were telling the farmers till now, has begun to bear fruit. Of course, we cannot be complacent and stop here. Our efforts to reach farmers with new information, new thought and new technology will have to continue. That work is now being done throughout the year by the Agrovision Foundation.

You have been talking about the diversification of agriculture towards the energy and power sector. How will it leverage the agriculture sector in India?

Yes, I keep speaking about this on every forum. I have been telling the farmers not only to be “Anna data”, a food provider, but also “Urja data”, an energy provider. Farmers can even supply bio-based Bitumen and aviation turbine fuel. It is possible with the diversification of agriculture towards energy, fuel and power. It is the current need of the country, considering its huge oil import bill worth Rs 16 lakh crore. It will also help farmers to get higher incomes. Their lives cannot change merely by growing wheat, rice and bajra as their prices remain the same, whatever quantity one produces. The surge in demand for ethanol, which is blended with petrol and diesel, will have transformative effects on India’s agricultural sector. Almost 65 per cent of the population relies on agriculture which contributes only 12 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This underlines the potential for the ethanol industry to revitalise the agricultural economy. With farmers’ engagement in energy generation, we will be able to produce energy worth Rs 10 lakh crore.

Bamboo can be used for making ethanol and it can create 10 lakh jobs. Moreover, Bamboo chip-making machines can be used to make white coal. During the recent Agrovision, I announced that we would buy bamboo from farmers at the rate of sugar cane. It is my dream to see an ethanol petrol pump being run by farmers.

What needs to be done to achieve the goal of making India a $5 trillion economy in future? What role can the agriculture sector play in it?

We are amongst the largest growing economies in the world. To realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of making our country a $5 trillion economy, we need tribal, rural and agriculture-centric research and innovation. There had been a migration of people from rural areas to urban centres. Nearly 90 per cent of people used to live in villages. That number has come down to 65 per cent. People have not migrated happily. They shifted because of the problems in villages. So, we need to change the face of villages by bringing prosperity to the rural areas through the diversification of agriculture to the power and energy sector.

While Ethanol can be extracted from biomass, we can create bio-CNG and LNG from agricultural waste. On the other hand, we should ensure value addition in agro crops by processing. Although I mentioned research and innovation, any research must be helpful and have some practical use. It should be more need-based, location and raw material availability-based to be useful for the farmers. With all these combined efforts, it is not difficult for the agriculture sector to contribute substantially to making India a $5 trillion economy.

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

- Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road

The MoU aims to manage the entire operations of Ladakh Milk Federation for a period of five years and implement a structured dairy development programme in the region.

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) signed a tripartite MoU with Union Territory of Ladakh and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) by which it will manage the entire operations of Ladakh Milk Federation for a period of five years and implement a structured dairy development programme in the region.

During the tenure of this MoU, NDDB will provide its services without any management fees and also depute its professional manpower at key managerial positions for managing the operations of the Federations and its constituent units.

The MoU was signed in the gracious presence of Radha Krishna Mathur, Hon’ble Lt. Govenor of UT Ladakh and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Hon’ble MP of Ladakh by  Meenesh Shah, Chairman and Executive Director, NDDB, Tashi Gyalson, Hon’ble Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh and Ravinder Kumar, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department, UT Ladakh

On this occasion, Chairman, NDDB reiterated the continued focus of NDDB on the regions where dairy sector is yet to be developed to significantly contribute in the livelihoods of the rural households. He further mentioned that NDDB would ensure that the operations of the Federation and the constituent units are professionally managed with emphasis on providing fair and transparent operations to the dairy farmers.

Shah also assured that NDDB along with its subsidiary company/ies would continue to support the UT of Ladakh in its endeavor to bring about prosperity through Dairying. IDMC, the wholly owned subsidiary company has already completed the refurbishment and upgradation of the milk processing plant, Leh which will be soon operationalized.

Hon’ble Lt. Govenor of UT Ladakh said that NDDB’s expertise would help in establishing a robust milk procurement and processing system in Ladakh and would also help in undertaking scientific productivity enhancement activities with focus on animal breeding, nutrition and health. This MoU will encourage entrepreneurs to set up dairy farms leading to Development of Dairy sector in the region, which will also provide an avenue for employment for the rural youth and more milk production in UT.

Hon’ble Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh,  Gyalson mentioned that Ladakh has the potential for milk production and this joint efforts by NDDB and the Ladakh Administration would definitely help in ensuring a better remuneration to farmers for their milk.

The MoU aims to manage the entire

NDDB MRIDA Limited, will open avenues of additional income to dairy farmers from sale of slurry/ dung.

 Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched NDDB MRIDA Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of National Dairy Development Board to take forward manure management initiatives across the country in presence of Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, MoS, FAHD and Dr L Murugan, MoS, FAHD. Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, DAHD, Govt. of India, Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, Ms Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (CDD), DAHD, and Sandeep Bharti, newly appointed Managing Director of NDDB MRIDA Limited.

NDDB has established NDDB MRIDA Limited, an Unlisted Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 2013 on July 1, 2022 as with the paid-up capital of Rs. 9.50 crore.On the occasion, Rupala said NDDB Mrida Ltd will open avenues of additional income to dairy farmers from sale of slurry/ dung. He added that it will help in savings to the farmers by virtue of replacement of cooking fuel with biogas. He further said that efforts are being made for better utilisation of bovine dung but most are individual initiatives and this new company will provide structured impetus to manure management efforts.

 Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB and NDDB Mrida Ltd said “NDDB Mrida Ltd will take up setting up of manure value chain, biogas based CNG generation, biogas-based energy generation for dairy plants. He added thst the new company will explore opportunities to efficiently use cattle dung as ingredient for various applications in different industries and as a replacement to traditional wood, clay, paint, etc.”

Shah also added that the company will undertake research and development on cost effective technologies for efficient dung management and a major area of focus will be establishing revenue generation models at the village-level through sale of cattle dung-based products. He added that the company will provide marketing and sale support to agencies manufacturing gobar-gas slurry-based fertilisers and establish mechanisms to accrue carbon revenue from the projects to generate additional revenue stream for dairy farmers.

On this occasion, Dr Balyan launched a brochure on NDDB MRIDA Limited and Dr Murugan handed over NDDB’s SUDHAN trademark to Chairman and MD, NDDB MRIDA Limited.

NDDB MRIDA Limited, will open avenues of

The objective of this conclave is to create awareness about the production of other high-value beekeeping products

A National Conclave on Production of Bees Wax was organised by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Gujarat in collaboration with the National Bee Board (NBB), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The conclave was supported by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) & Tribal Co-Operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). The objective of this conclave is to create awareness about the production of other high-value beekeeping products viz. bee wax, bee pollen, royal jelly, propolis, bee venom, etc.

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, said that beekeeping, besides pollination support, also provides extra income and creates employment opportunities for rural/ landless farmers and beekeepers. NDDB, NAFED & TRIFED have been identified as implementing agencies under NBHM for implementing beekeeping activities through a cluster-based approach by making Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) on beekeeping.

Abhijit Bhattacharjee, GM, NDDB informed that NDDB is always committed to bringing policies/ schemes beneficial to farmer/ milk producers with the aim to uplift the economy of rural farmer/ milk producers. NDDB has a wide approach that the economy of Indian farmers/ milk producers will only increase if farmers/ milk producers will utilise the resources present in their local area and do not import resources from outside.

Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, Anand suggested that engaging beekeepers in multiple streams of income through diversified activities is important for building economic resilience. Scientific beekeeping is one such activity that can provide additional income not only from honey production but through the production of other beehive products. He informed that NDDB is promoting beekeeping by using dairy cooperative channels present in the country and creating FPOs by organising beekeepers with the support of NBB.

Dr Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, DA&FW advised beekeepers to work in the field of value-added products in beekeeping to get more financial benefits and uplift their economy.

Dr NK Patle, Executive Director, National Bee Board (NBB) has briefed about the central sector scheme entitled National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) and practices aspects relating to beekeeping. He invited beekeepers to avail the facilities available under NBHM and adopt beekeeping in a scientific manner to get additional income through honey & other beehive products. He assured full support to beekeepers across the country under the NBHM scheme.

Dr Balraj Singh, Project Coordinator, Honeybee and Pollinators (HB&P), IACR said that in India, beekeeping is mainly practised for the production of honey only and therefore there is a need to create awareness about the diversification of beekeeping for the production of various other beehive products.

Dipenkumar C Patel, Progressive Beekeeper & Director, One Bee Organic, Gujarat introduced the participants to different types of honey, various bee products, its collection methods and types of equipment/machinery used.

Jaswant Singh, Tiwana Bee Farm, Ludhiana, Punjab inform that their firm is involved in the production of all kinds of bee products and equipment/machinery. His firm is involved in the production of Comb Foundation Sheets (CHS) from bee wax.

Jai Prakash, Senior Manager, Indian Bank has informed that to address the issue of adulteration in honey & other beehive products, National Bee Board has launched online registration and developing a blockchain /traceability system of the source of honey and other bee products. He showcased the procedure of online registration on Madhukranti Portal and requested all beekeepers/ other stakeholders to come forward and register themselves on this portal.

The objective of this conclave is to