Radha Mohan Singh,
Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Union Minister of State for Agriculture & FW, Shri Gajendra Singh Sekhawat led an Indian delegation comprising of Dr. OP Chaudhury, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries and HK Suanthang, Director, DACFW, to participate in the Agriculture Ministers’ Conference held on 20.01.2018 in Berlin, Germany during the 10th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture. The Conference, organised with the theme of “Shaping the Future of Livestock – Sustainably, Responsibly, Efficiently” was attended by 69 agricultural ministers and heads of 6 international organisations including FAO, WTO and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). A Communiqué was issued by the Ministers to safeguard the supply of and access to sufficient, safe, nutrients and affordable food from livestock production for the growing world population. Union Minister of State highlighted India’s impressive performance in the dairy, meat and poultry sector and the initiatives taken by India in the field of diseases control and animal welfare. Shri Sekhawat also stressed the actions taken by India to mitigate the effect of climate change, both in the animal and crop sector and called upon the developed countries to abide by the principles of equity but common and differentiated responsibilities towards tackling climate change. Shri Sekhawat accompanied by the delegation also utilised their visit to Berlin for meeting Agriculture Ministers from 3 other countries – Germany, Argentina and Uzbekistan. With his German counterparts, the two Ministers reviewed the overall relationship of the two countries in agriculture sector. Shri Sekhawat also impressed upon the German Minister to use his good office for early resolution of Indian rice export being subjected to arbitrarily fixed maximum residue Limit on Tricyclazole at 0.01 mg/kg by European Union. Union Minister of State mentioned EU´s non acceptance of digital phytosanitary certificates. The German Minister, in response, conveyed his admiration for India´s advance on digitalisation of the certificate and assured to personally take up the matter with the EU Authority concerned. During his meeting with Mr. Zoir Mirzaev, Uzbekistan Minister for Agriculture and Water Management, the MoS informed his counterpart
about the priority areas of India in agriculture sector and suggested areas such as farm machinery, skill development and crop residue management as possible areas of cooperation. The two Ministers also discussed potential items of trade such as moong beans, and opportunities for available investment in each country. The discussion was further supplemented by the two Ministers taking a walk through the various exhibitions of the Uzbekistan stall. Shri Shekhawat also met the Argentinean Minister of Agriculture Dr Luis Miguel Etchevehere and discussed various areas of mutual interest including trade in agriculture products such as fruits, vegetables and meat. The Minister also conveyed India’s interest in the success achieved by Argentina in farm mechanisation. He also sought collaboration to such technologies to suit Indian conditions, and obtained technology for manufacture of silo bag to reduce storage losses in India.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is leading the Indian delegation to 10th Global Forum for Food & Agriculture, Berlin, Germany from 18th -20th January 2018
Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is leading the Indian delegation to 10th Global Forum for Food & Agriculture from 18-20 January, 2018 which includes the 10th Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference. The theme of this year’s event is “Shaping the future of livestock – sustainably, responsibly, efficiently”. The discussions will focus on sustainable and productive animal production among other issues. Bilateral meetings with counterparts of Germany, Uzbekistan and Argentina are proposed on the sideline of GFFA to discuss issues to further enhance cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors. About Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) The Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) is an international conference that focuses on central questions concerning the future of the global agri-food industry. It is held during International Green Week (IGW) and will be taking place in its current shape for the eighth time. The forum gives representatives from the worlds of politics, business, science and civil society an opportunity to share ideas and enhance understanding on a selected topic of current agricultural policy. The GFFA is organised by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMEL) in cooperation with GFFA Berlin e.V., the Senate of Berlin and Messe Berlin GmbH. Specific aspects of the GFFA’s main theme will be explored in more detail in different event formats. The opening event in 2018 will outline the key issue and explain how it will be addressed by the various GFFA events. The main events are the Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference hosted by the BMEL, and the International Business Panel Discussion hosted by GFFA Berlin e.V. The Agriculture Ministers will convene in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy for the Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference (not public). With almost 90 ministers at the last
conference, this is the world’s largest conference of agriculture ministers. A final communiqué representing the common position of the ministers is incorporated into the ongoing international discourse on agricultural policy. The preliminary work for the main events is done on the preceding day in High Level Panels hosted by international organisations. The results of these meetings are incorporated into the final communiqué. In expert panel discussions hosted by various organisers, the main theme is discussed from specific topical and regional perspectives. This ensures that the GFFA is closely meshed with current scientific thinking. During the GFFA there will be a Cooperation Market where associations, companies, universities and the BMEL will showcase their activities in the agri-food sector. This – along with the Business Lounge – provides all the GFFA participants with an opportunity to withdraw from the bustle and conduct bilateral talks in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Total milk production increases from 51.33 Million Tonnes during 2016-17 (summer) to 53.77 Million Tonnes during 2017-18 (summer)
The Milk production in the country during 2016-17 has achieved a remarkable progress by showing 20.13% growth as compared to 201314. Further, the production have been estimated to be increased by 6.4% in 2016-17 over 2015-16. In past the growth rate has been 6.3% in 2014-15; 6.3% in 2015-16 and 6.4% in 2016-17. Thus, there is concurrent high growth rate maintained over the past three years. Aligning with this progressive picture, in the current year (2017-18) also the Dairy sector gradually picking up its momentum towards the projected target of National Action Plan for Dairy Development. As regards to seasonal estimation, the total milk production has increased from 51.33 Million Tonnes during 2016-17 (Summer) to 53.77 Million Tonnes during 2017-18 (Summer) registering a growth 4.7%. The same is comparatively higher than the growth rate of summer season 201516 to 2016-17 (3.9%). Thus, even during the summer season 2017-18 the growth rate is higher and sustained. The first five highest milk producing States during Summer Season 201718 are Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. Egg Production: The total Egg production in the country during 201617 has been reported as 88.1 Billion showing a growth rate of 12.3% over 2013-14. Further, the productions have been estimated to be increased by 6.3% in 2016-17 over 2015-16. In past the growth rate has been 5.0% in 2014-15; 5.7% in 2015-16 and 6.3% in 2016-17. Thus, there is consistent improvement in the growth rate of Egg production during the past three years. As regards to seasonal estimation, the total egg production has increased from 26.03 Billion during 2016-17 (summer) to 27.95 Billion during 201718 (Summer) registering a growth 7.4%. The same is comparatively higher than the growth rate of summer season 2015-16 to 2016-17 (5.5%). Thus, even during the summer season 2017-18 the growth rate is higher and sustained. The production of egg is largely contributed by commercial poultry farms with nearly 80.83% and remaining production is from household/backyard poultry. The first five highest eggs producing States during Summer Season 201718 are Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Haryana.