New Requirements for Importing Coffee Beans Into India
All imported coffee beans must now undergo fumigation with either Methyl Bromide or Phosphine to eliminate any potential Coffee Berry Borers. The fumigation treatment details must be endorsed on the Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the exporting or re-exporting country.
India Permits Import of Watermelon From Uzbekistan
This import shall be subject to the additional declarations required to be incorporated into Phytosanitary Certificate that the watermelon is free from Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans. This is a is a bacterial pathogen that causes angular leaf spot. Moreover, the export consignment must comply with Systems Approach for production and export and must be free from soil.
New Seed Varieties Notified for Indian Agriculture
The Central Government has notified a list of new seed varieties for various crops seeking to enhance agricultural productivity and quality. These varieties have been approved by the Central Seed Committee and are expected to boost agricultural output across the country. This notification was issued on November 13, 2024.
North-East States Urged to Boost Pulse and Horticultural Crop Production
The Department of Consumer Affairs is committed to providing support to North-East states through initiatives like the seed mini-kit distribution program. The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) will play a crucial role in promoting pulse production through contract farming and other initiatives.
New Plant Varieties Protected Under Indian Law
The Central Government has amended the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001 to include six new plant varieties under its protection. This move aims to incentivize plant breeders and farmers to develop and conserve valuable plant genetic resources.
Ministry of Agriculture Releases First Advance Estimates
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) has released its First Advance Estimates for the production of major agricultural crops during the 2024-25 Kharif season (monsoon season). These estimates predict a significant increase in overall food grain and oilseed production compared to the previous year.
Government Takes Action to Curb Stubble Burning
A high-level inter-ministerial meeting was convened to address the pressing issue of crop residue burning, particularly paddy stubble burning, which significantly contributes to air pollution, especially in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR. State governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR presented their strategies to mitigate stubble burning. These include providing financial incentives to farmers for adopting alternative crop residue management practices, such as in-situ management and conversion into value-added products.
FCI Launches Mobile App for Efficient Grievance Redressal For Rice Millers
The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy launched the Mobile Application of the FCI Grievance Redressal System (FCI GRS) for rice millers. This digital initiative aims to streamline the grievance redressal process and enhance transparency and accountability in the food supply chain.
New CPI Figures for August 2024: What They Mean for Kerala’s Economy
The Kerala Department of Economics & Statistics published the CPI numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Industrial Workers for August 2024.
All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural and Rural Labourers – September 2024
Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) released the All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) for September 2024.
