Prof K V Thomas gives a push to Kuttanad-Idukki Package

Government of India constitute a Coordination Committee headed by Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation for reviewing the progress of sanction of detailed project reports under Kuttanad-Idukki Packages by various Ministries including Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ministry of Commerce.

The Coordination Committee comprises representatives of Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Ministry of Commerce etc. Principal Secretary, Government of Kerala has also been included as a Member.

It may be recalled that Government of India approved the package for Kuttanad Wetland Eco-System and mitigation of agrarian distress in Idukki district involving an amount of over Rs.1840 crore and Rs.764 crore respectively.

It goes to the credit of Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution who after assuming office called a meeting to review the progress. Sequel to the review the Coordination Committee has been suggested.

O/O MOS Prof K V Thomas

Rajan P Dev-Condolence Message from MOS Prof K V Thomas

Programmes and Appointments of Prof. K V Thomas are cancelled till 20.7.2009.

Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas hospitalized yesterday in R.M.L. Hospital, New Delhi as he was sufferring with high fever. Doctors have advised him to take rest for at least a week. Hence, all the programmes and appointments of Prof. Thomas are cancelled till Monday i.e. 20.7.2009.

Office of MOS (Prof. K.V. Thomas

Extension Counter of Nafed Bazaar

The Government to address the problems of coconut farmers.

Government of India will take necessary steps in addressing the problems faced by the coconut farmers in the country. This was stated by Prof. K. V. Thomas, Hon'ble MOS (A,CA,F&PD), Govt. of India while chairing a high level committee meeting to discuss the problems of coconut farmers in his office.
The main issues discussed in the meeting included the procurement of copra by the state agencies and NAFED at MSP, impact of central excise duty on packaged coconut oil in containers upto 200 ml. innovative technologies to develop new value added coconut based products, besides, the issue of enhancing productivity of coconut crop.
It was proposed to involve more agencies in the state of Kerala for procurement of copra at MSP. Chairperson, Coconut Development Board pointed out that the moisture contents in the copra procured at this time of season was more than the FAQ and it was not possible to bring it down as the monsoon had already set in coconut growing regions in India.
Similarly, some of the participants suggested alternative products for value addition to coconut farmers which included blending of oil, use of coconut oil in Vanaspati, sale of Neera etc. It was pointed out that the subsidy on copra drier had been reduced to 25% from 50% given earlier.
It was decided that the Ministry of Agriculture would initiate action on all the points discussed during the meeting and would take necessary action in order to help the coconut farmers.
The Meeting was chaired by Prof. K. V. Thomas, Hon'ble MOS (A,CA,F&PD), Govt. of India .

AGRI-FEST-2009 IN AUGUST IN KOCHI

Government of India has proposed to organize an Agricultural Festival cum exhibition titled 'Agri-Fest-2009' in the last week of August 2009 in Kochi. This was announced by Prof. K. V. Thomas, Hon'ble MOS ( A,CA,F&PD) during a meeting in this regard was convened in New Delhi today to discuss the modalities for organizing the event. Agri-Fest-2009 will be organized on the eve of ONAM celebrations in Kerala.

The AGRI-FEST-2009 will aim to showcase fruits and vegetable production, processing & marketing technologies. There will be Seminars on the issues concerning Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and competitive events like foodfests, vegetables and fruits and competition for school children. The event will hold various cultural programmes by participating artists from various parts of India and Kerala.

Various Government organizations like ICAR, National Horticulture Board, Department of CA, Department of Food & PD, CWC, FCI, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, National Seeds Corporation, various commodity boards like Spices Board, Coconut Board, Rubber Board and State departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and agencies of Kerala government like Keralafed, Rubbermark, State Horticulture Corporation etc. will participate in the event.

An executive committee has been constituted for proper arrangements for organizing of Agri-Fest-2009 in a befitting manner. The District Collector, Ernakulam, will be the Convenor of the committee and MD, National Horticulture Board will be Chief Coordinator for organizing the event.
In the meeting, it was proposed to request Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri V.S. Achutanandan, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Prof. K. V. Thomas and Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of Kerala Shri Mullakkara Retnakaran to be the Chief Patrons of Agri-Fes-2009. The event will be organized in the last week of August 2009 in Kochi.
The Meeting was chaired by Prof. K. V. Thomas, Hon'ble MOS (A,CA,F&PD), Govt. of India and attended by Shri Mullakkara Retnakaran, Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of Kerala, Dr. Mangala Rai, DG, ICAR, Smt. Minnie Mathew, Chairman, Coconut Development Board, Shri C. V. Anand Bose, Addl. Secretary (Agriculture), Dr. S. Rajan, ADG (Horticulture), ICAR, Shri Bijay Kumar, MD, NHB, Shri S. K. Pattanaik, JS (National Horticulture Mission), Shri P. K. Mohanty, Principle Secretary (Agriculture), Govt of Kerala, Shri Febi Varghese, MD, Kerafed and other Central government officers.

Extension Counter of Nafed Bazaar

Dr. Bijender Singh, MLA
Chairman-NAFED
National Agricultural Cooperative
Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (Nafed)
Cordially Invites You On The Occasion Of Launch Of
Extension Counter of Nafed Bazaar
For Sale of Kerala Agri-products
By
Shri Sharad Pawar
Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs,
Food & Public Distribution,Government of India
At
Krishi Bhawan, C-Wing, New Delhi
At 10.15 AM On Wednesday, the 15th July, 2009
In the presence of
Prof. K.V. Thomas
Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture,
Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Government of India

Sir,
Kindly assign a Reporter and Photographer to cover the event.
Office of MOS, Prof. K.V. Thomas

Indian Fish Festival (INFISH), 2009 at Hyderabad

Agriculture and Food Minister Shri Sharad Pawar today reiterated Government’s high focus on the fisheries sector and said that the Government was exploring all possibilities for integrated development of this sector. The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the Indian Fish Festival (INFISH), 2009 at Hyderabad. INFISH has been organized jointly by the National Fisheries Development Board and Government of Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Dr. Y. S. Rajashekara Reddy, Union Minster of State for Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Professor K.V. Thomas, and Andhra Minister for Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries Shri Parthasarathi also addressed the gathering. Shri Pawar informed that such exhibitions would be organized in different places in the country every year so as to reach out to large sections of stakeholders. The Minister also laid the foundation stone of the new NFDB office complex at Hyderabad. Informing that fisheries sector was being targeted as an important area for national development, Shri Pawar said: ‘With a view to focus exclusively on production, processing and marketing of fish and fishery products and position a national level coordinating body between state governments and various research institutions, we have established the National Fisheries Development Board at Hyderabad as an autonomous body under our Ministry.

The annual growth rate of over 4% in fisheries is indicative of the immense opportunity in the coming years. It is in this context that the Government of India is exploring all possibilities for integrated development of fishery sector and establishing NFDB is one major step in this direction.’ The Minister said that while focusing on production, there was also a need for promotion of domestic market for ensuring remunerative prices to the producers. This could be achieved by educating the general public on the nutritional and medicinal values of fish by conducting seminars and recipe competitions and other awareness programs. INFISH 2009, he said, was focusing on promoting fish as a health food by encouraging setting up of food courts exclusively dedicated to fish and fishery products. The Minister appealed to the Chief Minster of Andhra Pradesh to focus on women self-help groups as an important livelihood promotion opportunity in the State. He expressed happiness over the fact that about seven lakh women self help groups were financially well supported through several banks in Andhra Pradesh. The Minister also advised MPEDA to focus on export of ornamental fish. Elaborating on the vast potential of fisheries in India and the need for promoting new technologies through fish festivals, Shri Pawar said: ‘India is not only a maritime country but also an important aquaculture country in the world, holding third position in global production and second place in aquaculture, next only to China. The contribution of Indian fish to the food basket of the world has been substantial. Fishery products also constitute the largest group of our agriculture exports. We have 17% of the global population to sustain, with only 2.3% of land, but about 4.2% of water. Providing nutritious food and gainful employment are the foremost challenges in the country today. With increasing pressure on land for various human activities, water resources in different forms are an option and opportunity for enhancing food production through fisheries. 4. India has 8118 Km. of coastal line covering about 2.00 million Sq Km of EEZ and 0.50 million Sq Km. of Continental Shelf, From these resources India has an estimated potential of four million tons from the marine sector.

Similarly, 3.15 million hectares reservoirs 2.36 million hectares of ponds and tanks and 1.2 million hectares of brackish water area offer a production potential of more than 9.5 million tons. As against total potential of 12 million tons, we are planning to achieve a modest production level of 10 million tons towards the end of this plan period. In this context, optimum utilization of resources becomes pivotal to achieve the targeted production. While the required financial support is being provided to the farmers, fishermen and entrepreneurs connected with fisheries sector through various ongoing programs of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, NFDB, RKVY etc., enhancement of productivity and production are the key challenges to achieve the targeted production… ‘Various ICAR research institutes in India as well as the other research organizations have been able to develop new technologies which have the potential for enhancing productivity and production of various aquaculture and fishery resources. To make this happen technology has to be brought to the doorstep of user community. This calls for training and demonstration of the available technologies to the users. With a view to take the technology to the doorstep of the users, it is necessary to have such exhibitions at frequent intervals, in which the latest technologies are showcased and the technical aspects are discussed with the stakeholders. ‘I am glad to see the variety of technologies displayed by the ICAR Research Institutions, the Fisheries Institutions of Government of India, Universities, private sector etc. The display of various species of fishes along with feeds and feed supplements and culture practices would help the farmers in choosing the right candidate species for intensive and extensive aquaculture in tanks, ponds and reservoirs.’

Central Government largesse to Kerala on the eve of ONAM.

Central Government has released an amount of Rs.52.48 Crores as Provisional Subsidy for April 2008 to March 2009 to Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. (KSCSC) on 15.06.2009.

Allocation of APL rice during 2008-09 was made to States/UTs including Kerala on the basis of average of offtake level during 2006-07 and 2007-08. However, allocations of wheat under this category were maintained at the level of 2007-08. Accordingly, 2.05 lakh tons of rice were initially allocated last year.

Considering various representations from the State Chief Minister, Food Minister and other leaders from the State, adhoc/ additional/ festival allocation of 1.46 lakh tons of APL rice and 0.20 lakh tons of APL wheat were made to Kerala during 2008-09. The annual APL rice allocation to Kerala was thus 3.51 lakh tons as against previous year’s allocation of 3.07 lakh tons and offtake of 2.94 lakh tons. Besides, 60,000 tons of wheat were also allocated under Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) for sale to retail consumers.

For 2009-10, adhoc additional allocation of 19,000 tons of APL rice per month has been continued till March 2010 over and above existing monthly allocation of 17056 tons of rice under this category. Thus, the total allocation of APL rice has been substantially increased during the current year to 4.33 lakh tons as compared to last year’s allocation of 3.51 lakh tons. The State is also being made normal monthly allocation of 11777 tons of wheat per month for this category.

As per the current allocation policy, over and above the already issued APL allocations, any additional allocation of APL rice can be considered at applicable economic cost and of wheat at MSP based issue price of Rs. 10800 per ton. The State Government may accordingly send a request for such allocation.

MOS, Prof. K. V. Thomas has, at the outset nominated Shri G.C. Pati, IAS, Additional Secretary (Agriculture) to coordinate the activities of Kuttanadu Wetland Eco-System and Idukki Package and attend meetings as Government of India representative in the Committees chaired by Chief Minister and Chief Secretary. This would quicken the process of implementation, after all, the proof of pudding is in eating.

Highlighted points from MOS speech on Foundation stone laying ceremony of the International and National centre for Foot & Mouth disease at Orrisa

Highlighted points from MOS speech on Foundation stone laying ceremony of the International and National centre for Foot & Mouth disease at Aragul, Bhubaneswar.

The country is the home of around 200 million people living below poverty line, 80 million protein-energy malnourished children and a sizeable women population suffering from anemia.

All out efforts are required to boost up livestock sub sector where 70 million population is directly involved to produce quality food of livestock origin both for domestic consumption and export.

Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India in their vision document calculated the need of 20 gram of protein per person per day in addition to protein sources from cereal and other sources.

Out of this requirement, 50% i.e. 10 gram is targeted from milk, 20% i.e. 4 gram from each of meat and fish and 10% i.e. 2 gram from eggs.

To achieve this, milk production (@ 250 ml per day for non-vegetarian and @ 500 ml for vegetarian population) has to go up to around 160 million ton from the present level of 100 million ton by 2020.

The requirement of meat and eggs are estimated to be to the tune of 10.58 million ton and around 90 - 120 billion eggs respectively.

In order to achieve the target, suitable technologies to support livestock production optimization will have to be put in place.

We are also building up our capabilities and competitiveness to manage the import diseases specially after the complete eradication of disease like rinderpest.

FMD is one such disease which is causing severe economic loss to the poor livestock grower.

In order to develop suitable diagnostic tools and vaccines, ICAR established a Project Directorate on FMD at Mukteswar which has been providing technology backstopping to the development departments to control this disease.

Considering the capacity that has been built in the country on surveillance, monitoring and control of FMD, International organization like OIE desired that India takes a lead in facilitating competence development on FMD in the SAARC region. Accordingly, ICAR approved the plan of establishing such a centre during XI plan period and here we are today laying the Foundation of this centre.

While complimenting the scientists on their achievement thus far, I look forward with interest the success emanating from this newly planned centre as controlling this disease will tantamount to saving around Rs.20,000 crores annually.

Two day conference of state fisheries ministers at Bhubaneswar,Orissa

Two day conference of state fisheries ministers started at Bhubaneswar,Orissa today. Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Sharad Pawar, MOS Prof K V Thomas, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Orissa, Naveen Patnaik , Hon'ble Ministers for Fisheries from States, Experts, Officials of Central and State Governments are also attending the two day conference. Conference of State Fisheries Ministers will discuss various important issues pertaining to the fisheries sector development in the country.
Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Sharad Pawar said that India has play important role in global fisheries and now become third largest producer in the world and second largest producer from aqua culture. Minister also added that India made significant progress in different sectors such as marine capture, aqua culture, island capture fisheries and fresh water aqua culture resulting production of 7 million tones.
Prof K V Thomas, MOS, pointed out the following points in the conference today. While the fisheries sector in a few States is developing rapidly, the performance in other states requires tremendous improvement. There is a wide gap between the States and the regions of the country in terms of their level of development of this sector, and this gap needs to be bridged. We need to take stock of the success stories and try and replicate them in other places for increasing production and productivity in the fisheries sector. There is a need to identify the critical success factors, which would enable the sector to rejuvenate in accordance with a well thought out road map. We need to identify the kinds of interventions required in areas of technology, infrastructure, marketing and capacity building. Given the uneven levels of development in the sector in many states at the moment, no pan Indian solution would be applicable to all states. While policy guidelines could be laid down for the country as a whole, States will have to find State specific solutions to deal with local problems in this sector. This is essential also because, fishery is a State subject and the responsibility for the development of this sector primarily rests with the State Governments.
The Eleventh Plan objective of inclusive growth necessitates priority attention to the agriculture and allied sectors. Additional central Assistance (ACA) to the tune of Rs.25,000 crore has been allocated to these sectors through the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) launched during 2007-08. Prof K V Thomas urges the States to access funding for the fisheries sector from this scheme. The importance placed on the implementation of the scheme can be judged from the fact that there is no State-matching share to be provided for the scheme and 100 per cent outlay is provided by the Centre as ACA for various sectors within agriculture and allied sectors. RKVY provides an opportunity to complement the resources of the States for the fisheries sector.
The Eleventh Five Year Plan has targeted a growth rate of 6 per cent for the fisheries sector. This requires resources and investments. Our fish farmers need to be convinced through training and demonstration activities that fishery is a highly profitable activity. Many a time it has been seen that the technology, perfected in our laboratories has not reached the intended beneficiaries in the field. The transition of technology from the lab to the field has to be managed in an efficient manner. A host of activities need to be undertaken to perfect this transition. The efficacy of the extension services in Agriculture Sector in general and fisheries in particular must be improved. A fish farmer must be convinced of the economic viability of his project before he decides to embark on aquaculture.
Prof Thomas also added that the fish farmers in the country by and large belong to the weaker sections of our society. In most cases, a large segment of the fishing community, belongs to the Below Poverty Line households. Despite their hard work, many a times not enough remuneration is received by the fishermen to guarantee a comfortable livelihood for their families. Prof Thomas, therefore urge the State Governments to put greater emphasis on the welfare of fishermen apart from making adequate efforts to access funding and efficiently implement the centrally sponsored National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen.

Centre approves Rs. 214.54 lakhs for Fishermen's Welfare

Centre approves Rs. 214.54 lakhs for Fishermen's Welfare
(26-June-2009)
Government of India has approved a relief of Rs.214.54 lakhs to the State Government of Kerala as Saving-cum-Relief scheme for fishermen's welfare. This will benefit nearly 1.5 lakh fishermen in the State of Kerala.
Government of India has also enhanced the assistance under the scheme from Rs.1200/- to Rs.1800/- per fisherman from this financial year.
Under this scheme, relief is given to fishermen for 3 months of fishing ban period while savings are collected from them over 9 months of fishing period. Fishermen's contribution of Rs.600/- is matched (Rs.600/- each) equally by the Centre and the State. Thus the total contribution of Rs.1800 is distributed to the fishermen in 3 equal monthly installments of Rs.600/- each. The interest accrued on the savings of the fishermen is also distributed to them with the 3rd and last installment of relief.
For purpose of this component, an eligible fisherman means a person who is professionally engaged in full time fishing is a member of Co-operative Society / Federation / Welfare Society, lives below poverty line and is below 60 years of age.

AGRICULTURE FAIR CUM EXHIBITION IN KOCHI DURING ONAM

AGRICULTURE FAIR CUM EXHIBITION IN KOCHI DURING ONAM
(24-June-2009)

Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India will assist in organising an Agriculture Fair cum Exhibition at Kochi during ONAM this year. This was announced by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
The Fair will showcase various products and services available through different Central and State agencies dealing with agricultural and allied sectors for the benefit of farmers and general public. The fair will also provide opportunity for bringing together farmers of various states for interaction for mutual benefits.
The exhibition will showcase achievements, products, technologies available, market opportunities and new areas of cooperation and Technology exchange available in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, storage and post harvest management. It will be unique opportunity to bring together an entire spectrum of agricultural products in one place. Central agencies like National Horticulture Mission, State Horticulture Missions, National Seed corporation, NAFED, CWC, FCI, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and state agencies will participate in the event.
Addl. Chief Secretary and APC, Govt. of Kerala, Secretary(Food) & Secretary (Consumer Affairs), Govt. of India besides senior officers of the Ministries of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs, Govt. of India attend the meeting.

RUPEES 246 CRORES SANCTIONED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF IDUKKI AND DEVELOPMENT OF KUTTANAND WETLAND ECO-SYSTEM.

RUPEES 246 CRORES SANCTIONED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF IDUKKI AND DEVELOPMENT OF KUTTANAND WETLAND ECO-SYSTEM.
(24-June-2009)
Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution announced approval of a package of Rs.246 crores under the Idukki and Development of Kuttanand Wetland Eco-system.
He also announced that a Coordination Committee would be constituted in the Ministry of Agriculture for reviewing the progress of sanctions of projects under both the packages by different departments and Ministries of Government of India.
The Government of India has sanctioned a project for Rs 230 crores for PEPPER rejuvenation in Idukki funded by National Horticulture Mission which will be implemented by the Spice Board. It was decided that the State government and its various committees constituted for implementing Idukki package will monitor the implementation of this project.
A project for Coconut rejuvenation in Idukki at an estimated cost of Rs. 63 crores is under considered of the Coconut Development Board.
Ministry of Environment and Forest has already sanctioned Rs.50 Lakhs to the Department of Forest, Govt. of Kerala for augmenting bio-diversity at Vembanad lake for Kuttanand Wetland Eco-system. Ministry of Water Resources has already sanctioned Rs. 45 lakhs for undertaking the scientific study of the Thaneer Mukkam Barrage through IIT Madras and CWRDM Kozhikkode. Department of Animal Husbandry has already approved an outlay of Rs.10 crores towards various intervention in the Animal Husbandry, Dairy and fishery sector for Idukki package and Kuttanand Wetland Eco-system for the current year. Detailed project report will have to be submitted by the State government
Under the Seed Village Programme, a project to the tune of Rs. 5 crores is being considered for approval. It has been decided to resubmit the scheme for establishment of Soil Testing laboratories within the existing guidelines. It was further decided to consider introduction of floating soil testing laboratories particularly for Kuttanad.
A special scheme for training unemployed agriculture graduates and assisting them for setting up agri clinics/small business in agriculture will be drawn up by the State Government in association with Central government and submit for approval. Government of India has agreed to provide sufficient financial assistance for such projects. Special workshop for this will be convened in Kerala in the first half of July where Government of India’s representative will also participate.
A Joint project with the Central Warehousing Corporation for setting up warehousing facilities for Kuttanad project will be taken up provided the state government agrees to participate in the joint venture by providing land. It was decided that state will submit a proposal to the Ministry of Environment and Forest under the National Wetland Convservation Programme to control the aquatic weeds at Kuttanad.
After discussion it was decided that the state government would submit a revised project under the ongoing scheme like NHM, MMA and RKVY which is estimated to the tune of about Rs. 100 crores.
Any resource gap after submitting these proposals will be considered separately if the state government submits a detailed proposal to that effect seeking additional funds.
A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture will be a special invitee to the Executive Committee meeting of both the packages headed by the Chief Secretary in Kerala.