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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