29-February-2024: Govt Approves NBS Rates for Kharif Season 2024, Otipy Joins ONDC, Eat Right Station, Fish Consumption

29 February 2024

• WTO Members Strive for Consensus on Fisheries Subsidies and Agriculture at MC13

  The first working session at MC13 centered on fisheries subsidies. Facilitated by Iceland's Permanent Secretary of State, Martin Eyjólfsson, the session and subsequent convergence-building efforts were characterized as productive. Eyjólfsson commended members for their constructive participation and announced plans for bilateral consultations to further progress on the matter. Notably, the Philippines presented its instrument of acceptance of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, bringing the total acceptances to 70, with 40 more needed for the Agreement's entry into force.

• Tripura Leads in Fish Consumption, Punjab and Haryana Lag Behind: Study Reveals

  A recent study titled ‘Fish Consumption in India: Patterns and Trends’ conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in collaboration with WorldFish and other esteemed institutions, has shed light on the diverse landscape of fish consumption across India. The study, utilizing primary data from various government sources including the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reports spanning 15 years, has revealed intriguing insights into the dietary habits of the Indian populace.

• FSSAI Awards 'Eat Right Station' Certification to 150 Railway Stations Nationwide

  Railway stations are busy centers of activity since millions of Indians travel to them every day. Recognizing the importance of providing safe and healthy food options to passengers, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched the Eat Right Station initiative, which is making remarkable progress in this regard.

• Otipy Joins ONDC Network to Deliver Farm Fresh Produce Within 12 Hours of Harvest

  Otipy, a leading agritech start-up, has recently partnered with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to make farm-fresh fruits and vegetables easily accessible to consumers. This collaboration ensures that Otipy's extensive catalogue becomes visible on various apps within the ONDC Network, simplifying the discovery process and facilitating seamless transactions for users.

• Govt Approves NBS Rates for Kharif Season 2024, Includes 3 New Fertilizer Grades

  Under the chairmanship of PM Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the Department of Fertilizers' proposal, marking a significant step toward helping farmers and ensuring the availability of fertilizers at subsidized rates. The proposal involves fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the upcoming Kharif Season, 2024, specifically on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers. Additionally, the Cabinet has given the green light for the inclusion of three new fertilizer grades under the NBS scheme. This decision is projected to require a tentative budget of approximately Rs. 24,420 crores for the Kharif season of 2024.