11-October-2022: APEDA, MOPA, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Agricultural Plant Biotechnology, Rural Livelihood Loan Scheme

11 October 2022

• APEDA to Promote Indian Millets Globally with Export Target of $100 Mn for FY24

  The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the government's agri-export promotion body, plans to send an Indian delegation of exporters, start-ups, and farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) to 17 major international events to promote millets and their value-added products in 2023, which the United Nations has designated as the International Year of Millets.

• MOPA Urges Government to Remove Stock Limit on Oilseeds, Permit Futures Trading

  The representation was given to Finance Minister Sitharaman by the office bearers of MOPA which included Anil Chatar, Suresh Nagpal, and Hemant Goyal. In the representation to the Minister, the MOPA said that in response to the ‘Atma Nirbhar' call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the farmers have toiled hard to increase the production of oilseeds following which the import of edible oil came down to 135 lakh tonnes from 150 lakh tonnes.

• Bharatiya Kisan Sangh to Hold Massive Protest in Dec; Will Urge Govt. to Increase Amount Paid Under PM Kisan

  The national executive decided at its meeting in Delhi on October 8 and 9 that the financial stability of farmers is vital and that all required efforts must be taken, according to BKS All-India Secretary K Sai Reddy. "On December 19, we will host a big protest rally in Delhi and give the title "Kisan Garjana Rally" to demand the central government to remove the GST on agricultural inputs. Additionally, we'll argue for our demand that Kisan Samman Rashi should also be increased keeping inflation in mind," Reddy said at a press conference.

• Experts at 16th Edition of Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Program Discusses About Agricultural Plant Biotechnology

  Several participants including farmer leaders, scientists, academia, media, government officers, and policymakers will be present at this week-long program. The 14th and 15th editions of the Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Program held in 2020 and 2021 respectively, were held virtually. 

• Government Launches Rural Livelihood Loan Scheme for Farmers, Workers

  The government of Rajasthan has put into place a rural livelihood loan program under which 1,00,000 rural families would be given loans with no interest for non-agricultural purposes. The Rajasthan Rural Family Livelihood Loan Scheme would provide loans worth Rs 2000 crore, according to state cooperative minister Udai Lal Anjana. The state government, he continued, would offer an interest subsidy.

• Drone Spraying SOPs for Safe and Responsible Use of Pesticides

  The recent notification by the central government allowing use of drone spraying of pesticides (except herbicides) is a shot in the arm for this exciting new technology. The agrochemical industry is gearing up to meet the challenge of commercializing drone spraying of various pesticides. Coromandel International has initiated the process for regulatory approval of its crop protection products for drone spraying.