achievements of All India Co-ordinated research project on medicinal , aromatic and Betelvine ( AICRP-MAP & B ) centre located AAU , Anand .
Dr T Janakiram , ADG ( HS ), ICAR , New Delhi , speaking on this occasion said that medicinal and aromatic plants play key role in livelihood security of tribal farmers besides health security . He said that there is need for establishment of referral labs for ensuring the quality of raw drugs in the country . Earlier , Dr Jitendra Kumar , Director , ICAR-DMAPR welcomed the DG and other dignitaries and gave an overview of the Directorate . Dr T Radhakrishna , Director , ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research ( DGR ), Junagadh , Gujarat , Heads and Joint Directors of ICAR organisations in Gujarat , AAU , Anand , scientists and staff of DMAPR , Anand , the print and visual media were present .
INDIA A LEADING COUNTRY IN COCONUT PRODUCTION GLOBALLY
India is a leading country in coconut production and productivity in the world . Our annual coconut production is 2044 crore coconut from 19.8 lakh hectare area and the productivity per hectare is 10345 coconut . The contribution of coconut in country ' s GDP is about Rs 20,000 crore . In 2015-16 , from our country , coconut products of Rs 1450 crore value have been exported . Over one crore people in our country are dependent on coconut crop for their livelihood . This was revealed by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare , Mr Radha Mohan Singh during his recent address at the farmers on World Coconut Day and National Award presentation ceremony in Bhubaneswar .
In the last 2 years , National Horticulture Board has provided assistance of Rs 6.50 crore to develop horticulture in the Odisha state , which includes important plans like greenhouse , polly house , cold storage . Several cashew promotion units have been established in Odisha ' s Koraput and Gunjm district . At the same time , assistance for the development quality plant to create modern nursery seedlings has been provided .
Coconut is a major crop of Orissa state and here coconut is cultivated in 50679 hectares and coconut production is Rs 32.4 crore . In the state 6404 coconut per hectare is being produced . Five districts of Odisha ; Puri , Ganjam . Kttk , Nyagd and Khurda produce more than 60 percent of the total coconut production in the state .
The Minister also stressed that the new initiative launched by the Coconut Development Board , has given him a chance to know in detail . So far , 9720 coconut committees , 700 coconut producer federations and 61 coconut producer companies have been formed across the country . I hope that through these farmer groups , board ’ s plan would be operationalized and in processing , marketing and export of coconut products , farmers would hold their share .
INTERTEK FOOD LABORATORY IN INDIA ACCREDITED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT TESTING
The laboratory , which provides services to the agri-export community , will now be able to provide the mandatory certifications for a variety of agricultural products being exported from India .
Intertek , a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide , has announced its accreditation by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority ( APEDA ) of its food testing laboratory in Hyderabad . The laboratory , which provides services to the agri-export community , will now be able to provide the mandatory certifications for a variety of agricultural products being exported from India .
APEDA was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act to provide services to the agri-export community . All products being exported have to obtain certification from an APEDA approved laboratory to ensure that the products comply with food safety requirements , including analysis of residues of chemicals pesticides , drugs and antibiotics and genetically modified organisms ( GMOs ).
Speaking on this announcement , Mr Siyaram Tiwari , Intertek ’ s Head of Food Services in India , said , “ Food manufacturers and food business operators now request certifications from APEDA approved labs . We are delighted to receive this accreditation which is a significant development for our laboratory . Intertek has worked closely with the Government of India for a very long time and we are pleased to continue and strengthen this relationship . Our global testing and certification experience will ensure that products meet the stringent quality , health , environmental and safety standards that have been set by APEDA .”
INDIA , THAILAND TO COOPERATE ON TUBER CROPS LIKE TAPIOCA
Both sides have agreed to work together for the benefit of farmers , traders and manufacturers in the area of tuber crops like Tapioca . Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare , Mr S S Ahluwalia , on September 06 , 2016 , welcomed the visiting delegates . The delegation of Thailand headed by the Vice Minister of Commerce , Thailand , Mr Winichi Chaemchaeng .
agriculture
Mr Ahluwalia stated that India and Thailand share ties of history , civilization , heritage and culture and that the two countries are important partner in various international fora . The visiting minister reaffirmed the warm relationship between the two countries and briefly explained the economic condition , especially of agriculture sector , including the initiatives taken by Thailand in the field of Trade and Commerce .
Thai delegates have suggested that cooperation in the field of agriculture , particularly of Tapioca – processing , value addition etc offers tremendous potential . India delegates explained the progress India made in development of varieties of cassava , quality of planting materials and value addition . Both sides agreed to work together for the benefit of farmers , traders and manufacturers in the area of tuber crops like Tapioca .
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