GM Foods: The Road Ahead for India

India's government has not yet announced a policy on GM foods because no GM crops (except GM Cotton) are grown in India and no products are commercially available in supermarkets yet. India is, however, very supportive of transgenic plant research. It is highly likely that India will decide that the benefits of GM foods outweigh the risks because Indian agriculture will need to adopt drastic new measures to counteract the country's endemic poverty and feed its exploding population.

Dr. Raina discusses a possible roadmap for this explosive, but important debate.

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EVENT ALERT

Workshop on Management of Insects in Stored Grains & Foods
July 22, 2011
New Delhi
http://bit.ly/l2gmYC

Workshop on Management of Insects in Stored Grains & Foods
July 25, 2011
Hyderabad
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6th Dairy And Agri Expo 2012
February 11-13, 2012 Punjab
http://bit.ly/mQX07A

ILDEX India 2011
September 15-17, 2011 Chennai
http://bit.ly/j9FfSb

KISAN : India’s Largest Agri Show
Dec 14-18, 2011
Pune
http://bit.ly/jjZHvJ

Bio Fach India international Organic trade Fair
Nov10-12, 2011 Bangalore
http://bit.ly/l24Xmg

Innovative and modern Technologies for Agricultural Productivity, Food Security and Environmental Management
July 22-23 2011 Mangalore
http://bit.ly/lbauuW

The Buzz(News In a Nutshell)

Goa Dairy Increases Milk Price For Farmers
The Nagaland State Government wants to put in place a quality regime for trade in eggs and other poultry products
Govt mulls cash subsidy for fertilizer retailers
India's onion export down by 31% to 12.89 MT in 2010-11
Centre procures 25.47-mn tonnes of wheat due to robust production
Ban on wheat, rice exports from govt stock
Shortage of paddy seeds affect raising kharif crop in Orissa
Agri sector grows by 6.6 pc in FY'11 on record foodgrain output
Groundnut oil prices firm on higher demand

Usher Agro Signed MoU with NBHC

Usher Agro Ltd, leading rice miller in India, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Bulk Handling Corporation Limited (NBHC) Ltd. for providing storage and handling of food grains across India for the company on a long-term basis. In this context, NBHC Ltd is building its first warehousing complex with silo with a capacity of 50,000 MT for storage of food grains exclusively for the company at Chhata district, Mathura, UP.
This will result in ease of operations for the company, according to a press release.

India's First GM vegetable is still waiting for clearance

Brinjal or baigan, is a very important common man’s vegetable in India. Low in calories and high in nutritional value. Brinjal is prone to attack from insect pests and diseases, the most serious and destructive of which is the fruit and shoot borer (FSB) Leucinodes orbonalis. There is no existing brinjal varieties with adequate resistance to FSB in India.

Keeping all the above points in mind Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (Mahyco) has developed Bt brinjal using a transformation process similar to one used in development of Bt- cotton.

According to the latest press release Explore came to know that Mahyco is awaiting the decision of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for environmental release of insect-resistant Bt brinjal. According to a resource person who spoke to Explore, Mahyco looks forward to a positive decision because it will help millions of our brinjal farmers who have been suffering from the havoc caused by the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (BFSB). Bt brinjal will help them tackle this pest in an environment-friendly manner and increase yields and farm income.

Delhi people will soon taste Tihar Jail's Bakery Products

Soon bakery products of Tihar Jail brand will be available in shops and stores across Delhi and the NCR (National Capital Region).

Tihar Jail (TJ) brand products, which according to officials are in huge demand, are available in 29 stores including Kendriya Bhandar as of now.
However, now most shops and stores in the city and the NCR will sell bread, bakery biscuits, buns, cake (muffins), rusk, namkeens, namakpaare, wafers, patties, pickle, papad, vermicelli and so on made by Tihar inmates.

TJ outlet is expected to open in Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital,which will be the first hospital to give its patients bread made by Tihar inmates, but it is yet not been confirmed. Talking to Explore Dr. Moni Deepa dietitian from DDU hospital said that it will be a good move, as more the products sell, the more it increases the job opportunities for the inmates inside the prison, but currently food department has no clue about opening of TJ outlet in hospital premises. There are possibilities of having this venture under administrative consideration, of which staff is not aware off.

Mythology of Agriculture

According to Hindu legend, Kanya Devi, an Avatar of Parvati, was to marry Siva, but as he failed to show up on his wedding day, the rice and other grains meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked and remain unused thereafter. As the legend goes, the uncooked grains turned into stones as time went by. Some believe that the small stones which look like rice on the shore today, are indeed grains of the wedding that was never solemnized. Kanya Devi is now considered a virgin goddess who blesses pilgrims and tourists who flock the town.

Know Your Animals!

The Gir is a famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of breed is Gir and the forest of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli district of Gujrat. This breed is also known as Bhodali, Desan, Gujrati, Kathiawari, Sorthi and Surthi in different parts of the breeding tract. The gir animals are famous for their tolerance to stress conditions and resistance to various tropical disease. Bullocks of this breed are used to drag heavy loads on all kind of soil. The body weight at one year of age is 138 kg in males and 136 kg in female. Adult body weight, height at withers, body length and heart girth cow averaged 313kg, 120 cm, 125 cm and 160 cm, respectively. Milk yield per day of calving interval was 4.98 - 4.97cm. Gir animals are considered as hardy with low overall mortality. The Rabaris, Bharwads, Maldharis, Ahirs and Charnas tribes are mainly involved in rearing of Gir cattle. They move with their cattle from one place to another in search grazing. Sufficient fodder is available in pastures of the breeding tract from july to December, thereafter animals migrate to the adjoining districts.

ASSOCHAM and ICCOA Boosting Food Sector

In the present day, hosting events has become important for the food sector for the sectoral benefit, and participating in such events has become imperative for companies in this industry in order to get noticed. To fulfill these requirement many companies like Associated Chambers of Commerce a Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) has decided to organize such events which will help agribusiness.

Recently, ASSOCHAM has decided to organize 3rd International Summit-cum-Exhibition on Food Processing, Agribusiness and Dairy on September 14, 2011 in the national capital. One of the spokesperson from ASSOCHAM Ahmedabad said that this event is the result of opportunities in food and food processing, skill, infrastructure, especially in areas of canning, dairy packaging, frozen food and thermo processing. The food processing sector is likely to grow by 20% and value addition in this regard is set to rise by 35% by 2015. This would open up for immense opportunities for big investments in the food and food processing sectors.

Similarly, ICCOA with Biofach is organizing 'Biofach India- India Organic Trade Fair 2011', Mr. Manoj Kumar Event Coordinator and Assistant Manager, ICCOA told Explore that this is an excellent opportunity for sectoral players, to get international exposure and become aware of global standards, he further added that these events are today's need if we want to survive in the industry we have to focus on contacting people through such events."

Purchasing of fruits and vegetables is just a click away

With growing number of websites catering to online purchase of fruits and vegetables, a new way of business in horticultural produce, has come to fore. With more and more companies invading the cyber horizon, purchasing fruits and vegetables has become easier, as they offer a list of items available for purchase and delivery within no time. These have entrenched themselves and have created different niches for themselves.


Mr. R.K Venkatesan has started 'Veggie Bazzar' a web portal to order and buy vegetables, and deliver them to home on a 24 hour notice in Chennai. While talking to Explore he said, "The main concept behind online vegetables and fruits shopping is to serve working class in order to reduce their time in going to vegetable market for shopping so, it is better to provide them what they want at their door steps. The maximum business is through telephone calls and the Internet so, people can save their time from wasting on these trifling things."

According to Gaurav Chamaria, team head, freshsubzi.com, online players have made several options available for customers and are benefiting not only customers but also companies.


Mr. Chetan Kumar Manager Reliance Fresh Store, Bangalore told Explore that reliance fresh is also planning to step forward in the market in near future.

Now it is 'Doodh ka Doodh Pani Ka Pani'

'Doodh Ka Doodh Pani Ka Pani Abhiyan' is being conducted by Bhopal Cooperative Dairy Federation with a view to making consumers aware of adulteration in milk. As many as 119 out of 172 samples were found sub-standard at a camp organised by Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation at Bhopal.


Over a telephonic conversation, Mr. R.S. Pathak General Manager, Bhopal Cooperative Dairy Federation, told Explore that this movement is to make consumers aware about adulteration in milk which they buy from local vendors.He revealed that people ask us why to take milk from Bhopal Cooperative Dairy Federation, and we answer through this way by conducting 'Doodh Ka Doodh Pani Ka Pani Abhiyan' in the residential colonies of Bhopal. A majority of milk purchased by the residents of Bhopal from vendors was found to be sub-standard. A total of 79 out of 172 samples were found sub-standard while adulteration of water was found in 40 samples. Only 53 samples were found to be standard.


The officers of the Dairy Federation have advised the citizens to purchase pasteurized Sanchi Milk instead of loose milk. Sanchi Milk is safe since it is pasteurized apart from being standardized under the Food and Adulteration Rules of the Government. Sanchi Milk is available in different tones and its price ranges from Rs 26 for Double Toned milk, Rs28 for Toned milk, Rs30 for Standard milk and Rs32 for Full Cream milk.

Interview with Mr. Manoj Kumar on Organic Farming In India: Status and Prospects

Mr. Manoj Kumar is Assistant Manager and Event Coordinator at International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), Bangalore

Q.1 In your experience, What is your perception about market status of organic products in India?

A.1 Organic food is a growing business with good long-term prospects. The demand for the organic foods is rising in domestic markets at 15-20 %. The sales of organic products worldwide are touching US$ 50 billion and are expected to reach USD 100 billion by 2012. The trade estimate in India shows that the market for organic products have crossed USD 155 million in 2010 (exports at USD 120 million, i.e. INR 5500 million; and the domestic markets touching 35 million, i.e. INR1500 million).

The Indian organic produce is mainly exported to Japan, Netherlands, Italy, France, Switzerland, the UK and USA. India’s organic export is around Rs. 550 crores, which is only 0.25 % of the organic trade. India should target to reach at least USD 1 billion by 2012, thereby capturing at least 2.5% of global market share.

Emergence of Modern Format retail, growing concerns for health and increasing purchasing power of consumers has accelerated the growth of organic food sector in India. Organized Retail chains like Spencer’s, More, Hyper city, Spar, Nature’s Basket and many more have created Organic as separate category. Specialty stores like 24 Letter Mantra, Down to Earth (Morarka), Fab India are selling the certified organic products under their own brand name. Every month in India multi-branded specialty stores are introducing organic products in their stores.

Top 8 metros of India (Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad) contribute more than 80 per cent of sales in country. The most demanded food category are Vegetables, Fruits, Dairy products, Bakery products, Oil, Wheat/Atta, Frozen products and Rice.

Q.2 What are the thrust areas in which India Has to work upon in Organic Industry?

A.2 A systematic approach including all stakeholders of organic sector is important for developing Indian organic sector. Networking activities to create strategic alliances to boost both market access and farm productivity should be the priority. Here are some important thrust areas:
1. Policy Intervention from Govt.
2. Organic Animal husbandry (Dairy , Poultry and others)
3. Technical Capacity Enhancement and Extension
4. Integrated Input Production, On-farm input production and Bio-technology
5. Package of Practices (technologies for Soil Health improvement, Pest control)
6. Processing and Value addition Infrastructure Development
7. Facilitate Creation of Producer companies
8. Internal Quality/Control system (ICS) for quality assurance

Q.3 What is the knowledge level of farmers regarding organic farming?

A.3 Level of awareness about organic farming varies state to state in India. For the Indian farmers, the main motivating factor to convert from inorganic to organic are the market of organic products, the premium price which they get on organic products and health hazardous of inorganic methods of production. Farmers from hilly regions of India (Himalayan regions and North-east India) which is by default organic, are now focusing on certification of their lands which is the result of government projects to promote organic farming in India.

Basics of organic farming like maintaining buffer zone, mixed cropping, on-farm input generation, absolutely no use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, Internal control system, maintain the desired documents for certification, registration with certification agencies, etc. are taught by the local NGOs/organizations which are working for the promotion of organic farming.

Farmers who have registered for organic farming, knows preparation of organic formulation like Bijamruta, Panchgavya, vermin-wash, Biodynamic formulation, etc. Government schemes under NHM, RKVY, TMNE, etc., have accelerated the organic movement in India. Small and marginal farmers comes together to form clusters which helps in reducing cost of certification and input generation.

Q.4 What are the experiences of being in the Industry?

A.4 As it is a fast growing sector in India, there is a lot to do. There is addition of numbers of small and medium player in this industry every month but there is huge gap in understandings of consumer’s about organic and its benefits. As per capita purchasing power and concerns about health is increasing, demand for organic products are also increasing. Consumers need full basket of organic including fresh fruits & vegetables, dairy and meat products. But most of the players are failed to fulfil the needs of the consumers.

Organic products are still a life style product in India. Sometimes the premium which is paid by the consumers to buy organic goes up to 100 per cent. Consumers do not mind paying 15-20 per cent extra to buy organic products but consistency in supply and availability of organic products is also a major problem in India.

There are not much subsidies or support from the government, which force farmers to switch from organic to inorganic. If adequate support from govt. and assurance of market is there, farmers will be more than happy to go for organic.

Q.5 Where do you see India 5ys from now in the Industry?

A.5 As Govt. of India has announced separate standards & organic logo (AGMARK logo) for the domestic marketing of organic products in India, it will built credibility among the Indian consumers. Every state will have its own certification agency which will help farmers to get their land certified conveniently. Seeing the growth in recent past, it is very easy to estimate that India will have more than 2 million ha land under organic management. Export potential will be Rs. 25000 million (2.5 % of global share) and total turnover with organic products will be more than Rs. 40 billion in India.