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Chapter-9
Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
I. Tea
India is the largest producer and consumer of
black tea in the world. Tea is grown in 16 States in
India, of which Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu
and Kerala account for about 95 % of the total
tea production. The traditional States where tea
is grown to a small extent are Tripura, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Karnataka. The
non-traditional States that have entered the tea
map of India in the recent years include Arunachal
Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Orissa and Sikkim. The teas originating
from Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiris are well
known for their distinctive quality the world over.
Tea exports contribute foreign exchange into the
country; the sector also contributes revenue to
the tea growing states and national exchequer by
way of VAT, agricultural and corporate income tax,
etc. The tea industry provides direct employment
to more than a million workers, of which a sizeable
number are women. Additionally, more than
two million people derive their livelihood from
ancillary activities associated with the industry.
Tea Board
Tea Board is an autonomous body under the
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of
India set up as a statutory body on 1st April, 1954
as per provision under Section (4) of Tea Act 1953.
It is an apex body which looks after the overall
interests of the tea industry. The Board is headed
by a Chairman and consists of 30 members
appointed by Govern ment of India representing
various interests pertaining to Tea Industry.
The Board’s Head office is situated in Kolkata
and there are 16 regional/sub-regional offices
throughout India. It has also three overseas
offices at London, Moscow and Dubai whose
activities are mostly promotional in nature. Tea
Board has wide functions and responsibilities
which include measures for development of the
tea industry, extending financial and technical
assistance to the tea growers, manufacturers
and producers, export promotion and domestic
generic promotion, regulating and controlling
different marketing activities including that of
Tea Auctions, facilitating R & D activities, market
liaison, assistance to labour welfare activities,
maintenance of statistical data etc.
Production of Tea
Tea production in India during the year 2010-
11 has been estimated at 966.73 million kgs as
against 991.18 million kgs achieved in 2009-10.
The production had declined by 24.45 million
kgs when compared to previous year because
of marginal decline in production in Assam
due to adverse climatic conditions. During the
period April-October, 2011-12, tea production is
estimated at 752.76 million kgs against 719.67
million kgs achieved during corresponding period
of last year thus showing an increase of 33.09
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
million kgs due to improved weather conditions
in Assam.
Exports
Exports of tea from India during 2010-11 stood
at 213.79 million kgs valued at `2995.79 crores
with a unit price realization of ` 140.13 per kg
as against 213.43 million kgs valued at `3038.69
crore with a unit price of `142.37 per kg in 2009-
10. During the period April - December 2011-12
exports of tea have been estimated at 147.11
million kgs valued at `2167.76 crores with a unit
price of `147.36 per kg against 168.03 million
kgs valued at `2321.48 crores with a unit price of
`138.16 per kg during the corresponding period
of last year.
Imports
Imports of tea into India during the financial
year 2010-11 were 19.26 million Kgs. valued at
US$ 41.02 million with a unit price of US$ 2.13
Source: Department of Commerce, Government of IndiaE-Estimated for production only.
per Kg. as against 25.84 million kgs. valued at
US$ 45.01 million with a unit price of US$ 1.74
per kg in 2009-10. Out of the quantity of tea
imported, 9.65 million Kgs. was for re-export
and the balance 9.61 million kgs. was meant for
domestic consumption.
During the current financial year 2011-12 (April –October), import of tea is estimated at 9.91 million kgs. with a value of US$ 20.46 million and unit price of US$ 2.06 per kg. as against 11.55 million kgs. with a value of US$ 23.84 million and a unit price of US$ 2.06 per kg. during the corresponding period last year. This shows a decrease of 1.64 million Kgs. in quantum, US$ 3.38 million in value over the corresponding period of last year.
At present, basic import duty on tea falling
under the head 0902 is 100% and on instant
tea falling under head 210120 is 30%. However,
duty free import of tea is allowed under the duty
exemption scheme and/or by EOU/SEZ units
Chart 9.1
Tea Production & Exports
162
Annual Report 2011-12
subject to the condition of its re-export and
value addition. Under the Indo-Sri Lanka Free
Trade agreement, tea from Sri Lanka upto 15
million kgs. annually is allowed to be imported
into India at a concessional rate of import duty
of 7.5%
Table 9.1
Estimated Value earnings (in ` crores) from Exports of Tea from India
YearExports
Unit Price (` /Kg)Qty (M.Kgs.) Value ( `Crores)
2007-08 185.32 1888.68 101.91
2008-09 190.64 2381.79 124.94
2009-10 213.43 3038.69 142.37
2010-11 213.79 2995.79 140.13
2011-12 [Apr-Dec](E) 147.11 2167.76 147.36
2010-11 [Apr- Dec] 168.03 2321.48 138.16
(E) Estimated
Prices
The average price of tea sold at Indian auctions
during January to December, 2011 was ` 103.39
per kg as against the average price of ` 104.66 per
kg during the corresponding period of last year.
Table 9.2
Prices of All Tea at North, South and All Indian Auctions
(Price in ` / Kg)Months North India South India All India
2011 (P) 2010 2011 (P) 2010 2011 (P) 2010
January 103.86 101.74 76.63 75.75 97.29 94.83
February 94.42 91.88 77.13 73.68 88.36 86.96
March 81.93 81.52 75.46 69.53 78.24 75.43
April 128.39 108.86 71.35 68.99 96.37 84.50
May 128.80 117.63 68.78 65.27 107.39 98.63
June 133.92 125.95 62.77 60.29 110.16 102.52
July 131.55 126.57 63.55 58.88 111.13 104.77
August 121.14 130.91 66.91 59.08 108.13 114.67
September 120.58 129.11 70.46 69.60 110.08 113.84
October 119.04 126.57 75.50 71.83 105.97 111.98
November 113.69 125.90 70.40 72.09 104.82 115.13
December 107.62 123.55 67.85 71.92 100.11 113.73
Up to December 116.29 119.51 70.03 67.69 103.39 104.66Source: Tea Board(P) Provisional Note: Price excluding Amritsar Auction
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Table 9.3
Prices of Total Tea at different Indian Auctions during January to December 2011 (Price in ` / Kg)
Auction Centres Average Price Increase (+) or decrease (-) in Price during 2011 over 20102011 (P) 2010
Kolkata 129.44 132.97 (-) 3.53
Guwahati 108.49 112.93 (-) 4.44
Siliguri 103.46 104.44 (-) 0.98
North India 116.29 119.51 (-) 3.22
Cochin 80.21 77.45 (+) 2.76
Coonoor 63.38 61.11 (+) 2.27
Coimbatore 65.95 63.49 (+) 2.46
Tea Serve 57.79 54.98 (+) 2.81
South India 70.03 67.69 (+) 2.34
All India 103.39 104.66 (-) 1.27Source: Tea Board(P) Provisional & excluding Amritsar Auction and subject to revision
Tea Development
One of the important functions assigned to Tea Board under the Tea Act includes formulation and implementation of development schemes aimed at increasing tea production and productivity of plantations, modernization of tea processing, packaging and value addition facilities and encouraging co-operative efforts amongst small tea growers.
Financial assistance for the above activities are extended by way of Long term Loan, subsidy and grant in aid through the Development schemes approved for implementation during the Eleventh Plan period. The sanctioned outlay for XI Plan period was `800 crores and the current financial year was ` 180 crores.
Activities supported under the Plan
Schemes
1. Special Purpose Tea Fund Scheme (SPTF)
The objective of the scheme is to encourage tea
gardens to take up uprooting and replanting of
old aged tea bushes for improving production
and productivity for competitive sustenance. This
scheme launched in April 2007 was continued
during the year under report.
The scheme provides for: -(a) Long term loan @ 50% of unit cost (bearing
simple interest @9.5% and repayable over a period of 13 years with moratorium of first 5years);
(b) Subsidy @ 25% of unit cost; and
The loan funds are sourced from a consortium of
four nationalized Banks (IDBI,UCO, Vijaya, UBI) by
way of line of credit. Tea Board borrows the loan
from the banks @9% p.a and lends it to tea gardens
@9.5%.
The unit cost of replanting is based on the
assessment made by NABARD from time to time.
The total area developed and financial assistance
extended between 2007 and 2011 add up to 27761
ha and ` 114.35 Crores as subsidy and ` 47.68
crores as loan.
164
Annual Report 2011-12
2. Tea Plantation Development Scheme
This scheme provides for extending financial
support to tea gardens for creation of irrigation,
drainage and transportation facilities, new planting
in NE Region and in hilly areas above 2500 ft above
MSL by the small growers holding less than 4 ha
and supporting the small growers to organize
themselves into the Self Help Groups. The total
financial assistance extended between 2007 and
2011 add up to ̀ 34.12 crores towards new planting
in 3670 hectares, irrigation 13133 hectares, and
formation of 237 SHGs of small growers.
3. Quality Upgradation and Product Diversification Scheme
This scheme provides for extending financial
assistance by way of subsidy for modernization of
the processing factories by replacement of old and
worn out machinery, setting up of new factories by
the Self Help Groups of small growers, procurement
of processing machinery for orthodox tea in 100%
CTC factories. Quality assurance certification for
ISO/HACCP and Organic Tea, setting up of new
factories for production of green tea, orthodox tea
and specialty teas etc., product diversification, and
incentive scheme for orthodox tea production etc.
The total financial assistance extended between
2007 and 2011 add up to ` 201.80 crores towards
modernization of 1100 tea factories, value addition
in 95 packaging and blending units, obtaining quality
assurance certifications and organic certification
by 177 units and production of 384 million kgs of
Orthodox tea.
4. Human Resource Development Scheme
The activities supported under the scheme aim
at skills improvement at all levels from workers
to managers through extensive training and labor
welfare measures. The welfare measures are in
the nature of complementing statutory provisions
of Plantation Labour Act. These include health,
hygiene and educational support to the wards of
the plantation workers, sports activities and training
for all stake holders from workers to Managers etc.
The total financial assistance extended between
2007 and 2011 add up to ` 18.06 crores of which
` 1.65 crores on account of health & hygiene, `
10.57 Crores for Education and sports and ` 5.84
crores for training.
Table 9.4
Physical & Financial targets and Achievements during 2011-12 (up to December 2011)
(in ` Crores)S.No. Schemes and Activities TARGET ACHIEVEMENT
Financial Upto 15th Dec., 20111 T P D S 73 31.482 QUPD Scheme 75 59.153 HRD 5 2.854 Development Grant 2.50 3.25
Grand Total 155.50 96.73Physical
1 Tea Plantation Development Scheme (T P D S)New PlantingIrrigation and DrainageSHGs of small growersReplanting (SPTF)Rejuvenation (SPTF)
500 ha1500 ha 45 nos
6000 ha1000 ha
585 ha3611ha10 nos
2922 ha 444 ha
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
2 Quality Upgradation and Product Diversification (QUPD ) Scheme:Factory modernizationValue additionQuality CertificationIncentive for Orthodox tea production
130 nos.30 nos.30 nos.
80 m.kg
250 nos. 15 nos. 22 nos.78 m.kg
3 Human Resource Development Scheme (HRD)Capital grant to hospitals for expansion and medical equipmentsEducational stipends/scholarships, books and school uniform grants to wards of tea plantation workersCapital grant to school/colleges in tea plantation areas
10 Units
5000 students
10 Units
1 Unit
1200 students
1 Unit
5. Development Grant
The development grant component is used mainly
for meeting the developmental needs of the small
tea growers who account for nearly 25% of all India
tea production. The activities supported for the
benefit of the small growers include, setting up of
tea nurseries, organizing study tours and workshops
and Strengthening of field offices for closer interface
with small growers in non-traditional areas. The
total financial assistance extended between 2007
and 2011 add up to ` 16.38 crores.
6. Organic Tea Development Project
This project of three-year term was launched
in September 2008 in collaboration with FAO,
Common Fund for Commodities and IFOAM
for establishing scientific package of practices
for organic tea, harmonization of certification
parameters and identification of market potential
and development of marketing strategies for organic
tea in the world market. The tenure of the project
was extended for a further period of 2 years with
effect from September 2011. During the year steps
have been initiated for establishment of Capacity
Building centre for conducting training as well as
act as information centre. Training programmes
have also been organized for the stake holders. An
agency has been selected to explore the demand
for organic tea in the domestic market.
7. Development of Geographic Information System
This project has been taken up in collaboration
with ISRO for mapping of tea growing areas in
Assam and West Bengal. About 1000 gardens have
been mapped after taking into consideration the
cadastral maps and satellite data including GCP
Collection from Assam and Bengal. Software has
also been developed to track the progress of field
activities, particularly the replanting undertaken
with financial support from Tea Board.
8. Energy Conservation in small tea processing factories in South India
This project of four year term was launched during
2008-09 and continued during the year under
report. It aims at removal of barriers to energy
conservation and energy efficiency that inhibit
the realization of large energy saving potential in
the tea sector. This project is partly funded by the
United Nations Development Program – Global
Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF). Data collected
so far, shows that project interventions have
resulted in about 90 factories adopting at least one
energy efficient recommendation. The project has
introduced renewable energy interventions to the
tea factories. As a result of project interventions it
166
Annual Report 2011-12
has been estimated that the tea industry has saved
close to 50,000 tons of CO2.
Reopening of closed tea gardens
With the stability in tea prices, 32 out of 35
gardens reported earlier as closed have since been
re opened. Only three remain closed – one in
West Bengal and two in Kerala mainly due to legal
hurdles.
Licensing
The Licensing Branch of the Tea Board is responsible
for implementation of various statutory and
regulatory provisions of the Tea Act 1953 and
orders issued by the Government from time to
time. The Licensing Branch issues permission for
planting and replanting tea under Section 12 of
the Tea Act, 1953. Licensing Branch also issues
registration for tea manufacturers (both estate
and bought-leaf factories). The Licensing Branch
also issues registration to Buyers under the Tea
(Marketing) Control Order, 2003. The Licensing
Branch issues business licenses for tea exporters
and distributors; non-preferential certificate of
origin for tea exporters; Tea Waste license; Tea
Warehousing licenses etc.
The total number of exporters registered with Tea
Board under the provisions of Tea (Distribution
& Export) Control Order, 2005 with valid export
licenses stood at 1278 as on 31.03.2011 as against
1175 as on 31.03.2010. During 2011-12 (up to 30th
November, 2011), a total of 68 temporary exporters
license were issued.
A total number of 470 [3 Permanent exporters
license were cancelled] Permanent Exporter’s
licence were issued up to 2010-11. During the year
2010-11 no exporters licence was converted to
Permanent licence. During the current year 2011-
12 (up to 30th November, 2011) only one Permanent
Exporter license was issued and 11 (eleven)
Permanent exporters license were cancelled.
The total number of Distributors’ Licenses issued
was 7 during 2010-11. During 2011-12 (up to 30th
November, 2011) 5 Distributors’ Licenses were
issued.
The total number of certificates of origin issued
by Tea Board towards export of Darjeeling tea was
1891 during 2010-11 as against 1866 issued in the
same period of 2009-10.
During 2010-11 the Licensing Branch granted
registration to 12 flavoured tea manufacturers
under provisions of the Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act (PFA). During 2011-12 (up to 30th
November 2011) 17 flavoured tea registrations
were issued under PFA.
TEA PROMOTION
Indian tea, in the domestic and the international
markets, requires new initiatives from the Tea Board
as well as the tea industry for meeting emerging
challenges. In keeping with the requirements of
the export and domestic markets, there was a
focus on quality control. Implementation of ISO
3720 Standards and HACCP (Hazard Analysis &
Critical Control Points) has therefore acquired
growing importance. Efforts continued to be made
to persuade producers to increase production of
exportable quality teas & good teas of orthodox
variety.
Tea Board carried out promotional activities mainly
through its overseas offices located at London,
Moscow and Dubai. The post of DTP, Moscow has
been vacant for 2 years and hence limited activities
have been undertaken to Russia and CIS region.
Some tea promotion abroad is carried out through
various Tea Councils. Currently India is an active
member only of the Tea Council of USA. Indian
tea promotional activities are also carried out by
the Board’s foreign offices to enhance demand
167
CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
for Indian tea and increase market share. Other
activities include market surveys, market analysis
and tracking of consumer behavior, registering
of Board’s Logos in various markets as well as
popularizing the usage of these logos in order to
enhance the equity of Indian Tea and its various
sub-brands. The markets in Russia, CIS, UK, Pakistan
and UAE continued to be of vital importance. With
the lifting of COMESA, prospects of tea exports to
Egypt have also opened up.
The Board has organized a number of promotional
activities in the country propagating the health
benefits of tea aimed at the youth and young
house-wives. Generic tea promotion campaign was
on a low key during 2011-12 on account of paucity
of funds.
Efforts are being made to maintain and improve
trade relations between exporters and importers
by direct contact and discussions. Deputations /
delegations from India were also organized during
2011-12. Chairman Tea Board also led Trade
Delegations with a view to enhancing exports
of teas from India. Tea Board has participated
in International Fairs / Exhibitions in traditional
markets. With a view to diversifying the market
portfolio, the Tea Board explored potentials for the
2nd time in South Africa – a new market.
Box: 9.1
Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
Tea Board’s application for registration of DARJEELING as a Protected Geographical Indication •
under European Council Regulation 510/2006 was accepted and published. This application is a
very important step in the protection of DARJEELING because once registered, DARJEELING will be
protected, inter alia, against any misuse, imitation or evocation or use accompanied by expressions
such as “style”, “type”, “method”, “as produced in”, “imitation” or similar in the European Union.
The Tea Board continued to challenge, by way of opposition/invalidation/cancellation actions, legal •
notices, court actions and domain name cancellations instances of attempted registrations and
misuse of these tea names and logos both at the domestic and international level. In this connection,
the Indian Trade Mark Office last year issued around ten orders in favour of the Tea Board.
The ‘Assam’ orthodox word and logo and the ‘Nilgiri’ orthodox word and logo have recently been •
registered as Geographical Indication which is another big step in promoting the origin speciality
logos. Tea Board has continued its objectives to protect and preserve its various tea names and logos
as India’s treasured geographical indications and icons of India’s cultural and collective heritage.
168
Annual Report 2011-12
Brief details of IPR achievements are at Table 9.5:
Table 9.5
Registrations obtained during 2010-2011
S. No
Country Nature and subject matter of registration
Application / Registration
No.
Date of Application
Date of Registration
Validity
1. Russia Trademark for INDIA TEA LOGO
414383 29.12.2008 23.07.2010 29.12.2018
2. EU member countries
Community Collective Mark for DARJEELING logo
008674327 10.11.2009 23.04.2010 10.11.2019
3. EU PGI for DARJEELING word under EC Regulation 510/06
INPGI / 0005-0659
12.11.2007 20.10.2011 Till Repeal / Cancel
Table 9.6
Details of pending applications
No Country Nature and subject matter of registration
Application No. Status
1. Japan Regional Collective mark for DARJEELING word
No. 2007-103568 Examined
With regard to the pending application in Japan,
Tea Board has contacted its various licensees to
gather information on use and fame of DARJEELING
and filed the same.
Oppositions in India
Total 28 oppositions were filed by the Tea Board
in India during the period 2010-2011 to prevent
attempted registrations and misuse of DARJEELING,
ASSAM, NILGIRI tea names and logos as well as
the INDIA TEA Logo. During the year 2010-11,
in recognition of the Tea Board’s rights and to
settle the matter, 5 Applicants have removed the
objectionable name/logo from their labels. 20
oppositions were decided in favour of the Tea Board
because the Applicants did not contest the Tea
Board’s claims or settled the matter in recognition
of the Tea Board’s rights in the same period.
Litigation in India
Tea Board filed an action for infringement against
ITC Limited to restrain it from using DARJEELING as
part of the name of a lounge named DARJEELING
LOUNGE in one of its hotel in Kolkata. The interim
injunction application of the Tea Board was rejected
by the Single Judge of the High Court of Kolkata.
However, since the order suffers from errors of
law and fact, Tea Board is in the process of filing
an appeal.
Oppositions/Cancellation Actions outside India
7 oppositions/cancellation actions were filed by
the Tea Board in foreign jurisdictions in the period
2010 – 11. All these actions pertain to use of
DARJEELING word/logo marks by third parties. 1
action was in China, 4 in EU, 1 in France and 1 in
169
CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Argentina. The party in Argentina has decided not
to pursue its application after the objection from
Tea Board. In addition to the above, an action in
South Africa is under consideration.
Success in Taiwan
The Intellectual Property Court of Taiwan has upheld
the decision of the Taiwan Intellectual Property
Office through which it had ordered cancellation of
the mark DARJEELING in class 25 in the name of
Delta Lingerie, France. The IP Court confirmed that
not only the marks of the parties are similar but
also confirmed the same of Tea Board’s DARJEELING
mark. The Court held that DARJEELING mark has
obtained high degree of distinctiveness and should
be protected from dilution. The Court observed
that though there may not be any confusion as the
business interests of the parties are not correlated,
due to the fame of DARJEELING, use of an identical
mark on unrelated goods dilutes and distracts
the single source indication and diminishes the
distinctiveness of the famous DARJEELING mark.
Tea Research
Tea research in India covers basic, applied
and regulatory research aspects such as plant
improvement (breeding and biotechnology), plant
production (agronomy and soil science), plant
protection (mycology and entomology) and tea
quality including biochemistry, tea tasting and
processing, electronics and engineering mainly
through three tea research institutes, namely
Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre
(DTR&DC), Kurseong, Darjeeling, West Bengal; Tea
Research Association (TRA), Jorhat, Assam and
United Planters’ Association of Southern India –
Tea Research Foundation (UPASI-TRF), Valparai,
Tamil Nadu. The research directorate of Tea Board
has been entrusted to conduct, coordinate and
evaluate tea research nationally through theses
institutes. As per the provision of Tea Act, 1953
Tea Board of India has been continuing to support
and promote tea research for the development of
Indian tea Industry.
To cater to the needs of Darjeeling tea industry,
DTR&DC, Board’s own research institute located at
Kurseong is engaged in the R&D activities whereas
TRA and UPASI are involved to look after the
requirement of tea industry of North East India and
South India respectively. TRA and UPASI operate
through each of their seven advisory centers
scattered throughout different tea plantation areas
in their respective zones. Both these Institutes are
being granted financial support to the tune of
80% (Grant-in-aid: 49% and AED: 31%) on certain
identified items to carry out effective tea research
useful for the Industry. DTR&DC has comparatively
small infrastructural facility and manpower strength
which is fully financed by Tea Board, Government
of India. Apart from the above mentioned three
tea research institutes, research projects are
being given to other national R&D Institutes and
Universities to conduct research for the benefit of
Indian tea industry.
During 11th Plan period financial support have been
increased to all the three research institutes and
number of research projects were increased to 20
as against 11 in the previous plan (10th) schemes.
These institutes are providing both basic and
applied research information on tea cultivation,
plant protection and package of practices
required from time to time for the management
of tea plantation, increase of productivity and
enhancement of quality.
The fund allocation on account of R&D for the
year 2010-11 was ` 28,83,11,000.00. The financial
support given to TRA on account of Grant-in-aid
was `11,70,42,664.00 and AED ` 90,67,000.00
during 2010-11 . Similarly, UPASI was granted
`1,52,03,593.00 as Grant-in-aid and ̀ 64,55,335.00
170
Annual Report 2011-12
as AED. Tea Board also granted ` 3,00,000.00
as recurring expenditure to Assam Agricultural
University, Jorhat for their tea technology course at
the graduate level and ` 3,50,000.00 to Himachal
Pradesh Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya (HPKVV), Himachal
Pradesh during 2010-11. Under ASIDE scheme,
` 2,50,00,000.00 was released to DTR&DC,
Kurseong, Darjeeling for continuation of building
infrastructure. For the upgradation of DTR&DC,
an amount of ` 39,01,291.00 was released for
infrastructural development and procurement of
equipments etc.
LABOUR WELFARE MEASURES: 2011-12
The Tea Board undertakes various welfare
activities for tea plantation workers and their
dependants through Labour Welfare Scheme. The
welfare activities undertaken by the Board are
supplementary to the provisions of the Plantation
Labour Act (which is implemented by the State
Governments) in nature and cover general welfare
measures. The labour welfare activities are funded
through the Human Resource Development Scheme
of the Board as approved under the 11th Plan. The
HRD Scheme aims at achieving improvements in
the life and living conditions of the Tea Plantation
labourers and their dependants on the following
three broad areas (a) improving the health of
workers; (b) education of wards of workers; and
(c) imparting training to improve skills for growers/
workers and plantation managerial staff etc. For
improving health of workers, the scheme aims to
provide safe drinking water to tea garden workers
and their family members and establish sanitary
latrines in the labour lines. Tea Board also helps
the tea gardens to establish/augment hospitals
and health centers with financial assistance to
construct buildings and provide them grant for
medical equipments and accessories, ambulance
etc. For specialized treatment, beds are reserved
in specialized hospitals/health clinics etc. for tea
plantation workers and their dependants. Special
schemes of family welfare education programme are
also undertaken in tea garden areas to educate the
workers on small family norms, prevention of Aids/
HIV infection, drug abuse etc. Scouting and guiding
activities are encouraged in the tea areas. Financial
assistance is also given to physically challenged
plantation workers and their wards by providing
crutches, caliper shoes, artificial limbs, hearing aids
etc. For education of wards of workers, educational
stipends are given for general education and also
for specialized education. Assistance is also given
for construction of school/college buildings in and
around tea areas for spreading education among
tea garden population. An amount of ` 98.63 lakhs
was spent during the period 01-04-11 to 30-11-11
as against `1.93 crores for the period 2010-11.
Hindi Cell (2011-12).
Hindi Cell of the Board continued to perform its
function in 2011-12 according to the Constitutional
provisions, and guidelines of Department of
Official Language(O.L), Ministry of Home affairs
and Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce & Industry. Main activities included
providing training, translation and implementation
of O.L. provisions. Special emphasis was given
on adherence to Section 3(3) of O.L. Act, 1963.
Efforts were made to comply with the items laid
down in Annual Programme 2011-2012 issued by
the Government of India, Department of Official
Language, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Vigilance Cell
The Deputy Chairman of Tea Board is the Chief
Vigilance Officer (part-time) appointed so by the
Central Vigilance Commission. The overall activities
of the Vigilance Cell are being done under the
supervision of Chief Vigilance Officer. The main
function of the Vigilance Cell is to implement the
directives of the Government/Central Vigilance
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Commission. The Vigilance Cell also attends the
various queries and submits monthly and quarterly
report to the Government as and when required.
The Law Officer of the Board is also working as
Vigilance Officer. This Cell is also taking care of
the overall Vigilance Surveillance activities of the
Board. There is no such vigilance case pending with
this cell as on date.
Legal Cell/ RTI Act, 2005
The main function of Legal Cell is to attend to all
kinds of legal matters both in headquarters and
outstation offices of the Board. The Legal Cell is
also maintaining Liaison with Board’s Solicitors/
Law Firms viz. M/S Fox & Mandal, M/S Rajesh
Khaitan & Co. and K&S Partners and other Legal
Consultants pertaining to the various legal issues of
the Board. The Cell is also looking after all matters
relating to the Intellectual Property Rights including
administration of various logo mark/ word mark
registered by the Board under different statutes in
India and abroad. The cell is also actively involved
in the recovery of outstanding loan and in the year
2010-11, more than 25 lakhs of rupees have been
recovered by the Board. This Cell is also responsible
for performing the job pertaining to the disposal
of applications made under Right to Information
Act, 2005 and sending return periodically to the
Ministry within a time bound programme. During
the year under review, Board has not lost any court
case of major importance.
II. Coffee
The Coffee Board is a statutory organization
constituted under the Coffee Act, 1942 and
functions under the Administrative control of the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government
of India. The Board comprises of 33 Members
including the Chairman, who is the Chief Executive.
The remaining 32 Members representing the
various interests are appointed as per provisions
under Section 4(2) of the Coffee Act read with Rule
3 of the Coffee Rules, 1955.
The Board functions as the friend, philosopher and
guide to the Coffee Sector. The main functions of
the Coffee Board are as follows:
Promotion of agricultural & technological •research in the interest of coffee industry & transfer of technology to the growers on improving production, productivity & quality.
Providing assistance to coffee estates for their •development
Securing better working conditions & providing •amenities and incentives for farm workers
Promotion of the sale & consumption in India •and elsewhere of the coffee produced in India.
Management of all other operations as per the •provisions of the Coffee Act.
Gathering statistical & other relevant data •concerning the industry and dissemination of information to various segments of the industry.
Act as the recognized spokesperson on behalf •of the coffee industry to the Government, media, trade and general public.
Providing guidance for the overall growth and •development of the coffee industry in the country.
The Board has a Central Coffee Research Institute at Balehonnur (Karnataka) and Regional Coffee Research Stations at Chettalli (Karnataka), Chundale (Kerala), Thandigudi (Tamilnadu), R.V. Nagar (Andhra Pradesh), Diphu (Assam) and Bio-technology Centre at Mysore apart from the Extension Offices located in Coffee growing regions of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and North Eastern Region.
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Annual Report 2011-12
Area under Coffee
Coffee is cultivated in an area of around 4.07 lakh
hectares predominantly in the traditional areas
covering the States of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil
Nadu, which contributes around 98 percent of
the total production. Coffee is also cultivated to
some extent in Non Traditional areas of Andhra
Pradesh and Odisha and to a lesser extent in the
North Eastern States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and
Manipur with main emphasis on tribal development
and afforestation. There are about 2.72 lakh coffee
holdings in the country, out of which around 2.67
lakh holdings (99%) constitutes the small growers’
category (upto 10 hectares) and the balance 1% of
the total holdings fall under large grower category
having above 10 hectares.
Coffee Production
The post blossom crop estimates for 2011-12 has
been placed at 3,22,250 MT consisting of 1,04,525
MT of Arabica and 2,17,725 MT of Robusta as
compared to the 2010-11 final crop estimates of
3,02,000 MT comprising of 94,140 MT of Arabica
and 1,07,860 MT of Robusta.
Chart 9.2
Production of Coffee in India (MT)
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Productivity
Based on the estimated crop production for the
year 2011-12, the overall productivity of coffee
is 886 kg/ha. The productivity for Arabica is 633
kg/ha and for Robusta, it is 1095 kg/ha. As far
as the traditional area is concerned, the overall
productivity for 2011-12 is 968 kg/ha with the
productivity for Arabica being 764 kg/ha and that
for Robusta being 1100 kg/ha. Coffee is primarily
an Export Oriented Commodity and presently 70%
of Coffee is being exported while balance is being
consumed domestically.
Export of Coffee
The total quantity of coffee exported from India
during 2010-11 including re-exported coffee after
value addition was 2,95,344 Metric Tonnes. The
top five export destinations for Indian Coffee are
Italy, Germany, Russian Federation, Belgium and
Spain, which accounted for about 58% of our total
coffee exports. The coffee exports during 2010-11
has been the highest as compared to the previous
record of exports of 2,49,029 MT during the year
2006-07. The value realization out of coffee exports
during 2010-11 was ` 3317.04 crores.
The provisional coffee exports for 2011-12 covering
the period April – November 2011 are 2,28,578
Metric Tonnes valued at ` 3,139.58 crores, as
against the export target of 2,20,000 MTs for
2011-12. The volume of exports as well as value in
rupee terms and the unit value for 2011-12 so far,
has been high as compared to the same period of
previous year 2010-11.
Chart 9.3
Exports of Coffee from India (In MT)
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Annual Report 2011-12
Domestic Consumption
The coffee consumption survey 2009 carried out
to track consumption trends and attitudes analysis
has estimated the domestic consumption at
1,02,000 MT for 2009-10. It has been estimated to
be 1,08,000 (p) for the year 2010-11. The expected
consumption for 2011-12 is estimated at 1,15,000
MT. The process of assessment of domestic
consumption for 2011-12 is underway.
Several steps/programmes have been initiated
by the Board for supporting the domestic
market development of coffee. As the recent
surveys ( in 2008 and 2009) have indicated that
non-conventional coffee drinking areas, viz.
north, west and east of India have increase in
number of occasional consumers, which are the
potential segments to increase consumption. The
entrepreneurial Development trainings are given
to augment development of enterprise in roast and
ground coffee. This helps feed the rising demand
by setting up new roasting units/ increasing the
capacity of the existing units. 6 Kaapi Shastra training
programmes benefitting 142 participants have
been conducted. Market surveys are conducted
to develop insights into potentialities. Through
media campaigns for promoting awareness on
the support schemes for coffee, Coffee Board has
improved awareness on Coffee. The Coffee Board
participated in 37 exhibitions held in India in the
non-conventional coffee drinking areas.
Inauguration of India Coffee Centre at Bhopal by Hon’ble Minister of State
Mr Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
India International Coffee Festival,
2012
IICF 2012, the flagship event of the Indian Coffee
Industry, fourth in the series, has been organized
by the India Coffee Trust during January 18-20,
2012 at New Delhi, in a bid to expand demand
and services to non-conventional Coffee drinking
areas. This has potential for the expansion of coffee
consumption which, simultaneously, will provide
opportunities for value addition along the value
chain, and generate due investible resources for the
producers. The curtain raiser for this flagship event
had been done by Dr Rahul Khullar, Commerce
Secretary on 7 Dec, 2011.
Export Promotion
Flavour of India - Fine Cup Awards 2011: The Coffee
Board of India has been organizing Flavour of India
- The Fine Cup Award Cupping Competition every
year with an objective of promoting production of
fine quality coffees. For this 10th Flavour of India
Competition, out of 232 coffee samples (127 Arabica
samples and 105 Robusta Samples) received, 34
qualified for finals. The International Jury selected
four best coffees under category Arabica, Specialty
Arabica, Robusta and Specialty Robusta and ranked
the remaining coffees according to their merits.
This being the culmination of a decade long award,
the International Jury were felicitated by Mrs
Vijaylaxmi Joshi, Additional Secretary Plantations
at the Flavour of India Show at SCAE, Maastricht
in June, 2011.
The high quality Coffees of India earn premium.
However to increase the value earnings from
exports, considering the supply constraint due to
limited production base, it is important to increase
visibility in high value far off markets like USA, Japan,
Canada, Australia and New Zealand , while retaining
our strong base in the European Union. Export
incentives are extended by the Board to encourage
export of value added coffees in retail packs and
high value coffees to far off markets like USA,
Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. These
efforts are supported by Participation in selected
international coffee centric trade conferences and
events, Organizing Cupping and Buyer-Seller Meets,
Coffee Board at India Show, Toranto, Canada
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Annual Report 2011-12
Increasing trade awareness on Coffees of India
as shade-grown, sustainable and scintillating by
inserting advertorials/Advertisements in prominent
overseas trade journals and magazines besides
maintaining constant high level interaction with the
International coffee community through proactive
participation in International Coffee Organization
and such bodies. Coffee Board showcased Coffees
of India at premium events in USA, Japan, Korea,
Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, Russia, Ukraine.
Coffee Export Awards: The Coffee Board instituted
Export Awards in 1999-2000 to recognize and
honour the best performance of Coffee Exporters
so as to motivate, encourage and maximize their
export performance in export of Green Coffee,
value added segments like Speciality, Roasted and
Soluble Coffees as well as to regions viz., European
Region, Russia and CIS, U.S.A & Canada, Middle
East and North Africa (MENA) and Far East. The
performance of exporters for the year 2010-11 is
stellar.
Prices
Coffee prices in India are largely influenced by
the New York Exchange (NYBOT) for Arabicas and
London Exchange (LIFFE) for Robustas. The average
prices secured in international market during 2010-
11 was higher by 47% in case of Arabica (195.32 US
cents/lb) and by 28% in case of Robusta (82.82 US
cents/lb) as compared to the same period of 2009-
10. The average prices secured in international
market during 2011-12 (April-November’11) was
higher by 33% in case of Arabica (259.44 US cents/
lb) and by 23% in case of Robusta (101.91 US cents/
lb).
The average price secured in the auctions of Indian
Coffee Trade Association (ICTA) during April-March,
2010-11 was ` 203.94/kg for Arabica & ` 84.20/
kg for Robusta. The average price secured in the
auctions of Indian Coffee Trade Association (ICTA)
during April-November, 2011-12 was ` 280.03/kg
for Arabica and ` 113.82/kg. for Robusta.
XI Plan 2007-2012 Schemes of the Cof-
fee Board
The details of XI Plan schemes of the Coffee Board
under implementation during 2011-12 with a
budget allocation of ` 105.00 crores are:
1. Research & Development for Sustainable Coffee Production.
2. Development Support Scheme
3. Market Development
4. Risk Management to Coffee Growers
5. Export Promotion of Coffee
6. Support for Coffee Processing
7. Support for Mechanization of Farm Operations (New Scheme)
Coffee Research
The Coffee Board’s Research Department
continued research on coffee in the disciplines
of Plant Improvement, Crop Management, Plant
Protection and Post Harvest Technology & Quality
improvement under the XI Plan Scheme “R&D for
Sustainable coffee production”. The contributions
in terms of support to the coffee industry are as
follows.
From the Central Coffee Research Institute •and its Regional Stations, 7360 clones were supplied to the growers during 2011-12. 17 ha. of seed blocks located in the main and regional stations were maintained and production of seed coffee preparation was started.
A total of 1950 soil samples were analysed •and advisory rendered from CCRI and the Regional Stations. 400 Agro-chemical samples were tested for their purity. 185 leaf samples received from different coffee growers were analysed and reports dispatched.
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
For the eco-friendly management of coffee •berry borer, 41,775 broca traps with lure were supplied to growers in Karnataka and Kerala. For the replenishment of lure material 1,98,125 lure vials were supplied.
To encourage management of coffee berry •borer using the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, 200 kg of rice culture and 150 litre of liquid culture were supplied to interested farmers. On-farm production units were also encouraged and periodic visits made for monitoring and advice.
For the management of coffee white stem •borer, 5250 cross-vane pheromone traps with bait were supplied to the growers on demand.
A Mission mode action programme on •management of coffee white stem borer in the Arabica coffee growing tracts of South India was launched. Twelve teams were formed to work in the field during the winter flight period of the stem borer. Ten teams were located in the hot-spots of borer activity in Karnataka and two were placed in Tamil Nadu. Each team would educate the growers on the stem borer and its control measures and also demonstrate the interventions available in ten locations. 75% of the envisaged target of 120 demonstrations has been achieved.
Work under the DBT project: ‘Development •of Arabica Coffee Plants Resistant to Coffee White Stem Borer’ was in progress. About 175 Bt strains were screened for virulence against the borer larvae.
Under the project: “Identification of female sex •pheromone and its role in mating success and identification of kairomone responsible for host plant selection by the coffee white stem borer” in collaboration with M/s. Pest Control (India) Ltd. Bangalore, volatiles from the beetles and stem of the coffee plants were collected and were being analysed using GC.
The publication of popular magazine, Indian •Coffee was continued to be published on a monthly basis. Thirteen extension folders pertaining to different aspects of coffee cultivation, were printed in vernacular knowledge (Kannada) for distribution to the growers.
Welfare support to Labourers & Tiny
Coffee Growers
Welfare support for the benefit of children of
labourers working in coffee plantations and coffee
curing works as well as the tiny coffee growers
spread over in the entire coffee growing areas
is being implemented during XI Plan period. An
amount of ̀ 150 lakh has been earmarked for 2011-
12 to operate various welfare measures aimed to
reach labourers and tiny growers.
Rainfall Insurance Scheme for Coffee
(RISC)
During 2010-11, the Rainfall Insurance Scheme for
coffee has been implemented for Blossom, Backing,
Monsoon with introduction of new option of
Post-monsoon showers (to cover the un-seasonal
rains during harvesting period of November to
February). About 19,400 coffee growers purchased
the insurance product during 2010-11. The total
premium collected was about ` 2.12 crores. The
premium subsidy amount w.r.t small growers (up to
10 ha) was about ` 1.05 crores which was settled
by the Board.
In Karnataka, around 700 growers got the pay-
out compensation to the tune of ` 63.58 lakhs for
monsoon option and 106 growers got pay-out to
the tune of ` 7.22 lakhs for post-monsoon option.
In Tamil Nadu, 690 growers got the pay-out to
the tune of ` 10 lakhs. The Agriculture Insurance
Company of India Ltd., (AIC) has settled all the pay-
out for 2010-11.
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Annual Report 2011-12
During 2011-12 also, the Coffee Board popularized
and marketed the products in collaboration with
the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd.,
through its Extension Network. About 5700 growers
have purchased the monsoon showers insurance
coverage in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Scheme - Support for Mechanisation
of Farm Operations
The scheme on support for mechanization of coffee
estate operations is aimed at encouraging the coffee
growers to use farm machineries in carrying out
crucial farm operations on timely basis particularly
in the context of shortage of farm labour, so as
to improve labour efficiency and productivity.
The Government of India conveyed its approval
of the New Scheme “Support for Mechanization
of Farm Operations” for implementation during
the remaining period of XI Plan vide Letter No.
04/06/2009-Plant B dated 9.2.2011.
The scale of subsidy applicable to coffee growers
upto 20 Ha. holdings is 50% subject to a ceiling
of ` 2.00 lakhs, for coffee growers above 20 ha.
holdings is 25% subject to a ceiling of ` 4.50 lakhs
and for SHGs/Collectives of small coffee growers is
50% subject to a ceiling of ` 5.00 lakhs.
The machineries which are eligible for subsidy for
2011-12 includes Weed/Brush cutter, Telescopic
Pruner, Pit Digger, Hand held Battery operated
coffee harvester, Sprayer, Chain saw, Power tiller,
Mini tractor, Mini transporter/rubberized track
carrier.
Coffee Debt Relief Package – 2010
The Government of India communicated the
sanction for the implementation of the Coffee Debt
Relief Package – 2010 for the debt ridden small
coffee growers with a total implication of ` 241.33
crores vide order No 4/3/2008-Plant (B) dated 14th
June, 2010. The package has been implemented
during 2010-11 and the entire amount of ` 241
crores released by the Government of India has
been utilized. The Board proposed to settle the
pending/revised claims received from the Banks
during 2011-12. The package has been able to
provide relief to large number of small growers’
accounts (80%) wherein 85918 accounts out of
107337 accounts have been closed/ rescheduled.
III. Rubber
Natural Rubber
India has been continuously holding the first
position in Natural Rubber (NR) productivity since
2006. The productivity during the year 2010-11
was 1806 kg/ha. This achievement is remarkable
in view of the less favourable weather conditions
prevailing in most of the rubber growing regions
of the country. The hallmark of the Indian natural
rubber sector is the predominance of small and
marginal growers. Currently 90% of the area under
rubber and 93% of the production of rubber are
contributed by the smallholding sector comprising
1.19 million units. The average size of the rubber
holding in the country is around 0.54 hectare.
Area, Production and Productivity of NR
Rubber is successfully grown in the States of Kerala,
Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya,
etc. However, Kerala alone accounts for 75% of
the area occupied by the crop in the country. The
area under rubber in the Northeastern Region
increased substantially in the recent years, with
a share of 16% during the year 2010-11. The area
under rubber cultivation in India is 711,560 ha in
2010-11 registering a growth of 3.6%. Continuation
of subsidy schemes for new planting as well as
replanting, efficiency at grass root level extension
work, release of the new high yielding 400
series clones and favourable market for NR have
contributed to area expansion.
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
India continued to be the 4th largest producer of
NR in the world during the year 2010 with a share
of 8.2% of the global output. Production of NR in
the country was 861,950 tonnes in 2010-11 with a
growth of 3.7%. The estimated production during
2011-12 is 902,000 tonnes.
Consumption
India was the 2nd largest consumer of NR in
2010 after China. Unlike NR production, which
is characterized by a high degree of regional
concentration, consumption of NR takes place in a
rather disbursed manner throughout the country.
Total consumption of NR in 2010-11 was 947,715
tonnes with a growth of 1.8%. The auto tyre
sector registered a growth of 3.7% and the general
rubber goods sector recorded a negative growth
of 1.2% during 2010-11. The tyre & tube sector
of the industry, including retreads and cycle tyres
together, accounted for about 75% of consumption
of NR during 2009-10. Auto tyres & tubes alone
shared as much as 60% of the total consumption.
Consumption of NR during the year 2011-12 is
estimated at 977,000 tonnes with a growth of
3.1%.
Import
As per the import figures collected from various
ports up to 31st March 2011 the country imported
188,337 tonnes during 2010-11. The value of
NR imported during the year 2010-11 was `
2906.79 crore (US$ 637.9 million) . Almost 61%
of the import was through the Advance Licence
Scheme. It is noticed that 28% of the import was
through open channel during the year 2010-11.
The Department of Revenue, vide Notification
No. 128/2010-Customs dated 22nd December
2010, made amendments to import duty on NR by
allowing Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) import of 40,000
tonnes of dry forms of NR at 7.5 % duty before 31-
3-2011. The normal import duty for dry forms of
NR is 20% or ` 20/kg, whichever is lower. Norms
of TRQ import was fixed in consultation with the
Rubber Board. Subsequently, the Directorate
General of Foreign Trade allotted 40,000 tonnes of
import on the basis of consumption of NR in 2009-
10 to 31 applicants. Despite 40,000 tonnes allowed
for import by the Government, actual import of NR
under TRQ was only 3360 tonnes up to 31st March
2011.
Export
Exporters of NR have utilized the advantage of price
differential between domestic and international
markets during the initial and terminal months
and exported 29,851 tonnes of NR during 2010-11.
The foreign exchange earnings from export of NR
during the year 2010-11 was ` 552.2 crore (US$
121.18 million). Branding of Indian NR for export
got initiated in February 2011.
Closing Stock of NR
Stock of NR in the country at the end of March
2011 was 288,300 tonnes.
Prices
The average price of RSS 4 grade NR in the
domestic market 2010-11 was ` 190.03 per kg as
against the price of the comparable grade (RSS
3) in international market at ` 195.55 per kg. The
domestic NR price was below the international
price from April to September 2011 and then, price
of NR in India has moved above international price
in October 2011. During April-October 2011-12,
the average domestic price of RSS-4 grade NR was
` 218.46 per kg as compared to the international
price of RSS-3 grade of ` 223.90 per kg.
Marketing System
Marketing System for Natural Rubber in the
country is perfectly designed with 9286 dealers
positioned across the country covering all the
rubber-growing belts. NR marketing system is
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Annual Report 2011-12
well supported by 120 value addition units and
164 exporters. To boost sales in the export and
domestic markets, the Rubber Board participated
in 2 overseas trade fairs and 6 domestic trade
fairs and provided opportunity to exporters for
participating and displaying their products. Also,
Indian Natural Rubber Logo launched by the Board
endorses the quality attributes of Natural Rubber
exported from the country and around 3000 MT of
branded Indian Natural rubber products has been
exported from India during April-October 2011.
An efficient price collection and dissemination
mechanism is in place to create awareness on
the daily price movements in the national and
international markets to the stakeholders. The
price dissemination system equips the growers
to fetch more than 95% of the realization in the
terminal markets, the highest in any agricultural
commodity.
Collection of Cess
Under Sections 12(1) and 12(2) of the Rubber Act,
the Board is entrusted with the assessment and
collection of a duty of excise as cess on indigenous
production of NR and remittance of the same to
the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI)). The rate of
cess effective from 1st September 2011 is ` 2.00
per kg. During the year 2010-11, the collection of
cess amounted to ` 103.25 crore against a target
of ` 100.00 crore. Collection of cess up to 31st
October 2011 is ` 80.30 crore as against the target
set for the year 2011-12 at ` 100 crore.
The Rubber (Amendment) Act 2009 came into
force w.e.f. 22nd January 2010. The amendment
made provision for charging interest on belated
payments and compounding of offence, which
acts as a deterrent against violation of the Act and
Rules by the licensees. The Board has collected
and deposited to the CFI, the interest on belated
payment of cess, @ 1.5% per month w.e.f.
01/11/2011, amounted to ` 44.46 lakh during the
year 2010–11 and ` 12.75 lakh during 1st April
2011 – 31st October 2011. Besides, collected
` 41.25 lakh during the year 2010–11 and `
35.83 lakh during April to October 2011 towards
compounding charges.
Planning
Plan schemes under 11th Five Year Plan were
monitored on a quarterly basis and prepared
outcome budgets. A National Committee was
set up under the chairmanship of renowned
agricultural scientist, Dr.M.S Swaminathan for
evaluating the XI Plan Schemes of Rubber Board.
The National Committee comprised the Chairman
and nine experts from different disciplines. The
evaluation was completed and the report adopted
in the final meeting of the National Committee
held on 30th June 2011 at M.S Swaminathan
Foundation in Chennai. The Board conducted
extensive consultations covering all segments of
rubber industry to get feedback of stakeholders
for formulating 12th Plan Schemes. The 12th Plan
(2012-17) and Annual Plan (2012-13) proposals
were drafted.
International Cooperation
The 107th Group Meetings of International Rubber
Study Group (IRSG) held from 11th to 14th July
2011 in Singapore unanimously elected India as
the new Chairman of the Group. India chaired the
annual meetings of Association of Natural Rubber
Producing Countries (ANRPC) held in Haikou, China
from 31st October to 4th November 2011.
Development / Extension Activities and Labour Welfare Schemes
The rubber plantation development activities are
targeted to improve the production and productivity
of rubber in the country. Technical know-how and
financial assistance to the growers for scientific
planting and maintenance of rubber holdings,
generation and distribution of good quality planting
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
materials, providing training for scientific harvesting
of the crop, promoting Rubber Producers Societies
& SHGs of small farmers for extension activities,
raising block plantations in association with State
Governments for the welfare of SC/ST, setting up
of Community Processing Centres by supporting
required infrastructure facilities.
Under Development schemes, the Rubber
Production department provided financial
assistance of ` 17.65 crore includes ` 4.61 crore
for SC/ST to farmers during April to October 2011
benefiting 138813 rubber growers. Under price
Stabilization Fund Scheme, 18919 growers were
enrolled as on 31st October 2011. During this year
up to October 2011, 23 RPS and 47 SHGs have
been organized. Under Productivity Enhancement
Scheme, input items worth of ` 7.24 crore have
been distributed among growers through RPS
and achieved a target of 19000 ha. During April to
October 2011, under boundary protection subsidy
scheme, an amount of ` 63.99 lakh has been paid
to 2238 beneficiaries.
The main theme for annual mass contact
programme of this year was “Adopting scientific
tapping for increased productivity” and meetings
were conducted at 2704 centres in which 84562
growers/tappers participated. Smt. Vijaylakshmi
Joshi, Additional Secretary (Plantations), Ministry
of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the State
level annual mass contact programme on 6 June
2011 at Kottayam. In the meeting, a book - Directory
of Service Providers in Natural Rubber Plantation
Table 9.7
Performance of RPD schemes in traditional & non-traditional areas other than NE region, from April-December 2011
Description of the Schemes Financial (` Lakh) Physical
Target Achievement Target Achievement
I. Rubber Plantation Devt. Scheme (NP & RP)
2265 1173.11 8350 ha. 4420.15 ha..
II. Productivity Enhancement scheme
a) Supply of inputs with price concession 270 260 20000 ha 19000 ha.
b) Setting up of Agro management units 660 246.27 5000 ha. 3680 ha.
c) Generation of quality planting materials (Nos.) 260 126.69 700000 1042000
III. Farmer Group Formation and Empowerment
a) Formation of New RPS/SHG 8.52 2.92 150 nos. 72 nos.
b) Farmer Education Programme/Field training 30.0 6.36 7597 nos. 1512 nos.
c) Support to RPS/SHG 102.25 13.48 1009 nos. 125 nos.
d) Group Processing Centres 46.50 18.61 1 4
e) Latex Collection Centre cum office 34.11 10.43 529 nos. 225 nos.
IV. Training Programmes
a) Short Duration Intensive Tappers’ Training 45.00 21.69 4875 2616 persons
b) Regular Tappers’ Training 40.00 23.16 1687 959 persons
c) Annual mass campaign- - 100000
84562 persons
Source: Rubber Board
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Annual Report 2011-12
Sector in India was released. A survey has been
conducted among the small growers during this
year for assessing production and stock of natural
rubber, details of mature area, etc.
Labour Welfare Schemes
Under the various labour welfare schemes, the
Board disbursed ` 167.37 lakh benefiting 12,991
rubber tappers and their families during April–
December 2011 against the target of ` 325 lakh for
2011–12.
Rubber Research
The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) has its
head quarters in Kottayam, Kerala. The Institute has
its largest experimental field station at Chethackal
in Pathanamthitta District, which is located in
the heart of the traditional rubber growing tracts
of Kerala. RRII and its Regional stations were
involved in active research programmes under
major schemes like Crop Improvement (Botany
& Germplasm), Advanced Centre for Molecular
Biology and Biotechnology (Biotechnology, Genome
Analysis, Molecular Plant Pathology and Molecular
Plant Physiology), Crop Management (Agronomy/
Soils & Fertilizer Advisory), Crop Protection (Plant
Pathology), Crop Physiology (Plant Physiology and
Latex Harvest Technology), Economic Research and
Advanced Centre for Rubber Technology (Rubber
Technology and Technical Consultancy).
The research activities of Regional Research
Stations Orissa, Maharashtra, Nagrakata and
Padiyoor (North Kerala), Hevea Breeding
Substations Nettana (Karnataka) and Paraliar
(Tamil Nadu) were co-ordinated under the scheme
Strengthening of Regional Research Stations and
the research schemes in North-East research
stations located in Tripura, Assam, and Meghalaya
were co-ordinated under “Research in North-East”.
The scheme on research support services includes
Library and Documentation Centre, Computer
centre, Instrumentation and Maintenance sections.
The brief highlights of achievements under various
R&D programmes are as follows:
Crop improvement
Forty Seven pipeline clones were planted •at different agro-climatic regions for G x E interaction studies.
Trials with the RRII 400 series in 5 locations •across the country showed RRII 430 and RRII 422 to be stable across locations under different environment. RRII 430 showed tolerance to drought.
Phase 3 of the participatory clone evaluation •was initiated by planting 12 clones including check clones in polybag nurseries in eight locations.
Source bush nursery of 11 ortets selected from •Andamans was established at CES, Chethackal.
A hybridization programme was undertaken •with the objective of introgression of desirable genes from the wild germplasm into the breeding pool to widen the genetic base.
Hybrid clones evolved using drought tolerant •parents, planted for field evaluation in the hot spot area for drought were assessed for initial growth and drought tolerance.
A study on clonal variability for wood quality •parameters of RRII 400 series clones was completed. RRII 430 and RRII 417 showed better wood density than RRII 105.
Studies on polyhouse ecosystem to improve the •quality of planting material were completed.
Evaluation trials for screening cold tolerance in •wild Hevea accessions are progressing at RRS, Nagrakata in West Bengal.
Lignin characterization of wild accessions and •popular rubber clones were carried out.
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Advanced centre for Molecular Biol-
ogy and Biotechnology The MnSOD transgenic plants developed •earlier were bud grafted on to seedling stocks.
Many transgenic cell lines integrated with •MnSOD, isopentenyl transferase, Hydroxy – Methyl – Glutary – Reductase -1 (HMGR-1), osmotin genes were developed and are at different stages of plant regeneration.
In silico analysis of rubber Expressed Sequence •Tag (EST) database for Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) identification and gene mining was performed.
EST derived 15 microsatellites/SSR markers •were used to characterize 40 cultivated Hevea brasiliensis clones. Genotype-specific profiles were identified.
From the available cDNA and genomic DNA •sequences a number of genes were retrieved from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database to amplify them from the selected rubber clones using gene-specific primer pairs for identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPS).
A recombinant E.coli strain engineered to •express the Hev MT-3a gene was tested for its copper tolerance property.
Studies were made on Micro Ribo Nuclic Acid •(miRNA), stress genes expression and genes related to rubber biosynthesis.
In gene transformation studies related to gene •transfer in endophytes, protein extracted from the chitinase gene in transformed Bacillus cells was resolved.
Crop ManagementAnalysed soil samples from replanting fields •of estates in traditional rubber growing region and showed very low status of secondary and micronutrients.
Field experi• ments in immature rubber plantations were carried out to develop integrated nutrient management package.
Studied the suitability of intercropping with •perennial crops, timber trees and shade tolerant medicinal plants in mature rubber plantations.
In the experiments to reduce cost of cultivation •it was noticed that the minimum dimension of pits size did not influence the establishment and growth of rubber.
Different density planting, reduction in •gestation period, soil moisture conservation, integrated nutrient management, weed management studies and nutrient management of TPD experiments are in progress.
Analysed 4937 soil samples for offering •discriminatory fertilizer recommendation. Fertilizer recommendations were given to 2170 smallholdings. Besides, latex samples (57257) were tested for dry rubber content. Mobile soil testing programmes were arranged at 51 locations for giving on the spot fertilizer recommendation.
Crop ProtectionAs part of mechaniz• ation, a mist blower with higher capacity mounted on a mini tractor and on two wheeled trolley were field tested in rubber plantations and found suitable for the management of Abnormal Leaf Fall (ALF) diseases.
Pathogenicity studies were carried out with •perithecia and conidia derived Colletotrichum gloeosporioides under in vivo condition. Both were found to be virulent.
The chitinase protein isolated from •Gondang Tapen – 1 (GT1) was purified and polyclonal antibody was raised for further characterization.
Compilation of meteorological data• from all research station was completed.
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Annual Report 2011-12
Crop PhysiologyThe PS II quantum yield and leaf water •potential showed a significant reduction in low temperature treated plants.
Drought survey in young rubber plantation, •experiments on tapping induced biomass loss, stimulations and abiotic stress, biochemical mechanism on yield and nutritional aspects of abiotic stress are being continued.
Development of mechanized tapping tool is •progressing with modifications.
The biodegradable polythene developed for •rain guarding was successfully used for a period of five months.
Phase I & II of popularizing low frequency •tapping (d3 frequency) is in progress.
Advanced Centre for Rubber TechnologyThe Rubber Technology division, standardised •a quick method for DRC determination of NR latex by partial drying of the coagulum in a microwave oven.
In the studies on reinforcement of NR with •polymeric filler systems, it was found that addition of BR to NR/PFI system significantly reduced abrasion loss by keeping all other technological properties.
It was observed that rubber nanocomposites •based on blends of Radiation Vulcanization Natural Rubber Latex (RVNRL) and carboxylated nitrile rubber latex had improved fuel resistance and mechanical properties compared with pure RVNRL.
In the Technical Consultancy division, technical •know-how transferred to 17 clients as per request.
Products/samples were received from 385 •firms and tested 3327 parameters
Queries on technical matters from 606 units •were addressed during the reporting period.
Processed about 20.05 MT of speciality grades •of Indian Standard Natural Rubber (ISNR) from the Pilot Crumb Rubber Factory (PCRF)/ Radiation Vulcanization Natural Rubber Latex (RVNRL) Unit.
Economic ResearchThe real tapping wage share declined from •24.18 per cent during the pre-reforms phase to 18.11 per cent during the post-reforms phase.
Decontrol over production and distribution of •planting materials resulted in virtual absence of any quality control mechanism and vital loss of reliable database on rubber nurseries and the extent of adoption of prescribed cultural practices.
Regional Research Stations
Polyclonal ortet selection and the field •evaluation trials are progressing at Rubber Research Station (RRS), Dapchari, Dhenkanal and Padiyoor.
Yield evaluation trials on various Hevea clones •including the modern clones have been continued at Hebvea Breeding Sub Station (HBSS), Paraliar and Nettana.
A training programme was conducted at HBSS, •Paraliar to popularize the root trainer planting technology among the rubber estates in private sector.
Research Stations in NE
Yield evaluation trials in modern Hevea clones, •disease incidence in different rubber clones, cross breeding experiments with potential parent clones, CUT experiments for enhancing yield in old plantations, fertilizer trials, onfarm trials on selected ortets, screening of wild germplasm accessions for disease tolerance were the major work carried out in the NE Research stations at Agartala, Tura and Guwahati.
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
A field trial was started in a tea redundant •area with a soil pH of 6.8 – 7.0 in the Regional Experimental Station (RES), Nagrakata for evaluating the growth performance of rubber.
Major Events
To mark the Centenary Year of the first report of
Phytophthora leaf disease in rubber plantations
in India and the Golden Jubilee Year of the
recommendation of spraying of oil-based copper
oxychloride against abnormal leaf fall disease
in rubber plantations, RRII organized a three-
day international workshop and a three-day
seminar on the theme “Phytophthora diseases
of plantation crops and their management”. The
event, christened Phytophthora 2011 was held
during 12-17 September, 2011 at RRII, Kottayam,
Kerala. An exhibition of plant protection chemicals,
bio-control agents and machineries was also
arranged together with the seminar. The scientific
programme consisted of expert talks and interaction
among scientists, planters and manufacturers of
plant protection chemicals and machineries in
the context of widespread concerns about use of
agricultural chemicals. The seminar was inaugurated
by Shri. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble
Minister for Revenue, Government of Kerala and
the Workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Y.R. Sarma,
Former Director, Indian Institute of Spices Research,
Calicut. Delegates from India and abroad (from
Australia, Thailand, Cambodia and Sri Lanka) were
present. On the last day of the seminar, a growers
meet was arranged with thirteen presentation on
innovations and experiences in plant protection
by growers active in spices and plantation crops
cultivation.
Processing & Product Development
Various activities were undertaken to support
the rubber and rubberwood processing industry
to attain international competitiveness. Special
attention was given to the small holding sector
to strengthen their infrastructure for processing
and marketing including export. Major activities
undertaken include:
Quality up-gradation, cost reduction and •strengthening environmental protection systems in block rubber and latex concentrate factories.
Quality certification of NR produced in India, •imported to and exported from the country and Implementation of BIS Scheme for Testing and Inspection
Standardization activities related to rubber and •rubber products
Providing testing facilities to stakeholders •
Technical support to Rubber Producer •Societies (RPS)/Co-operatives in processing and marketing of Natural Rubber (NR).
Providing training, technical support and R&D •activities in Natural Rubber processing.
Testing of rubber wood and R&D activities in •rubber wood processing.
Technical and financial support to rubber wood •processing factories
Engineering Division
During April – December, 2011, an amount of
`23.18 lakh was disbursed to 7 rubber-processing
units under the quality upgradation scheme,
`9.91 lakh was released under Quality Control and
`16.76 lakh under Demonstration/Training. Under
the scheme for Rubberwood, `135.18 lakh was
released to two companies.
Rubber Processing & Market Development Division
During April – December, 2011, an amount of `
291 lakh was released to fourteen (14) RPS trading
companies towards working capital loan, ` 40.85
lakh to ten (10) RPS trading companies towards
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Annual Report 2011-12
5% interest subsidy, ` 77.50 lakh to eight (8) RPS
trading companies for marketing of estate inputs,
` 56.13 lakh to four (4) RPS trading companies
towards grant-lieu of share capital, ` 5 lakh to one
RPS trading company towards grant for acquiring
land / building / construction of building. An
amount of ` 12.79 lakh was released towards 5%
interest subsidy for eight Co-operative societies,
` 15.00 lakh was paid to two Co-operative
societies towards working capital loan and grant-
lieu of share capital. Besides, ` 37.00 lakh was
spent towards construction of godown facility.
Ten export / import inspections for sheet rubber
were undertaken involving a total quantity of 815
MT, 25 field visits were conducted under quality
improvement programme of sheet rubber and
two meetings were attended with National Multi
Commodity Exchange Ltd (NMCE).
Processing & Quality Control Division
During April – December, 2011, a total of 14880
samples of latex, dry rubber, water, effluent and
chemicals were tested and collected ` 9.11 lakh
as revenue. In addition, 452 samples of dry rubber
and latex were tested as part of quality control
of which 87 samples were for export. Further,
164 Quality control inspections and 134 - BIS
inspections were conducted during this period.
139134 MT of NR was imported and 23000 MT of
dry rubber was exported from the country during
April – December, 2011.
Factory Management Division
During April – December, 2011, Factory
Management Division produced 715.05 MT of
block rubber and 40.725 MT of centrifuged latex.
Sales turn over for the Model TSR factory was `
16.45 crore against sale of 762.525 MT of block
rubber. The latex sales turn over was ` 77.16 lakh
from the Pilot Latex Processing Centre.
Training
The Rubber Training Institute (RTI) catered to the
training needs of the various target Groups in the
major rubber sectors like Rubber Plantation, Rubber
Processing and Rubber Product Manufacturing.
Annual Training Calendar was prepared and
training programmes were conducted every year
as per schedule. Besides, scheduled programmes,
need based and collaborative focused programmes
were also organized. Indoor classroom training was
imparted on various aspects of rubber cultivation,
processing and product manufacture. Training for
Director Board Members of the RPS on leadership
and business management was one of the important
activities undertaken. Six batches were conducted
covering 88 trainees under the programme during
the current year. A training programme named
Sastradarsan is being conducted regularly to
provide an opportunity for rubber growers and
other interested groups in rubber production and
processing, including students to visit the Rubber
Training Institute and Rubber Research Institute of
India and become aware of scientific advancements
in rubber cultivation and rubber technology.
Outstation training programmes are conducted in
different localities for the benefit of those who are
not able to attend the programmes in the Institute.
Training is also given for the staff of Rubber Board
on induction and for refreshing their knowledge
and skill. The Institute imparted training to 3103
trainees during the period from April to December
2011.
IV. Spices
Spices Board was constituted as a statutory body
on 26th February, 1987 under Section (3) of the
Spices Board Act, 1986. The Board is headed by
a Chairman with its head office at Kochi. Spices
Board is responsible for the development of
cardamom industry and export promotion of 52
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
spices listed in the schedule of the Spices Board
Act, 1986. The primary function of the Board
includes production development of small and
large cardamom, promotion, development and
regulation of export of spices. The Board is also
responsible for implementing programmes for
development of spices in North Eastern region and
organic spices in the country. The activities of the
Board include issue of certificate of registration
as exporter of spices; undertaking programmes
and projects for promotion of export of spices like
setting up of spices parks, support of infrastructure
improvement in spices processing, assisting and
encouraging studies and research on medicinal
properties of spices, development of new products,
improvement of processing, grading and packaging
of spices; striving towards stabilization of prices
of spices for export and controlling & upgrading
quality for export (including setting up of regional
quality evaluation labs and training centers). With
regard to cardamom, registered auctioneers and
dealers facilitate the domestic marketing through
e-auctions. The Spices Board also does the research
activities on cardamom.
Chart 9.4
India Spice Exports through 2005-06 to 2010-11 (in US$ Million)
Export
Despite the global economic recession, export
of spices from India has shown a steady upward
trend during the last few years and this trend
continued in 2010-11 also. The export has gone
up from 350,363 tons valued at ` 2,627.62 crores
(US$ 592.90 million) in 2005-06 to 525,750 tons
valued ` 6840.70 crores (US$ 1502.85 million) in
2010-11, registering a compounded annual growth
rate of 20.44% in dollar terms of value and 8.46%
in volume. During 2011-12 (April – December), the
export of spices estimated at 396,665 tons valued
at ` 7094.68 crores (US$ 1500.40 million) against
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Annual Report 2011-12
402,025 tons valued ̀ 4838.44 crores (US$ 1065.14
million) during the same period of last year.
Import
The import of spices largely takes place for value
addition and re-export except items such as clove,
cassia, star anise, poppy seed, fresh ginger etc.
which are mainly used for domestic demand. The
Import of spices during 2010-11 was 86,775 tons
valued ` 1175.50 crores (US$ 257.00 million).
During 2011-12 (April-November) the estimated
import of spices into India is 62,880 tons valued `
1094.56 crores (US$ 239.44 million) against 55,820
tons valued ` 719.41 crores (US$ 157.40 million).
Production
The estimated production of cardamom (small)
and cardamom (large) in India during 2011-12 up
to February, 2012 is 12,975 tons and 3,855 tons
respectively.
XI Plan Schemes
Government had approved six schemes for
implementation during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.
The details of the schemes are given below:
1. Export oriented production and post harvest improvement of spices
2. Special purpose fund for replanting and rejuvenation of cardamom plantations
3. Development & promotion of Export of spices
4. Export oriented research
5. Quality improvement and strengthening of quality evaluation laboratory
6. Human resource development & capital works
In addition to the above, during October 2009,
Government has approved a special scheme for
replantation and rejuvenation of pepper in the
Wynad district of Kerala and in the NE States,
Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur in order
to address the issue of low productivity of pepper.
The details of actual expenditure during 2010-11
and outlay approved for the Annual Plan 2011-12
are given in Table 9.8.
Table 9.8XI Plan Outlay, Expenditure during 2011-10 and approved outlay for 2011-12
(` Crores)
Sl. No
Schemes XI Plan Outlay Expenditure
2010-11
Approved
Outlay 2011-12
Expenditure as on Feb,
2012
1 Export oriented production and post harvest improvement
82.94 22.82 25.00 19.74
2Replantation and rejuvenation of Cardamom/Pepper plantations
122.23 17.73 (*) 15.00 10.52
3 Export development and promotion
192.69 35.05 44.00 48.80
4 Export oriented research 20.00 5.60 6.00 5.18
5 Quality improvement 20.00 3.77 4.00 4.18
6 HRD & works 5.00 0.43 1.00 0.45
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Programmes supported under Plan
schemes
i) Special purpose fund for replanting and rejuvenation of cardamom (small and large) plantations
The objective of the scheme is to address the
issue of replanting/rejuvenation of the old and
uneconomic plantations of cardamom (small) in
the States of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and
cardamom (large) in Sikkim and Darjeeling district
of West Bengal. The approved total outlay under
the programmes for replanting and rejuvenation
of plantations of cardamom (small) and cardamom
(large) is ` 122.23 crores. The total area proposed
to be covered under replanting and rejuvenation of
cardamom plantations during XI Plan is as follows:
Small cardamom – Replantation of 10,000 •hectares in Kerala & Tamil Nadu and 15000 hectares in Karnataka. Rejuvenation of 15,000 hectares in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Large cardamom – Replantation and •rejuvenation of 10,000 hectares each in Sikkim and Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
ii) Export oriented production and post harvest improvement of spices
The focus of the scheme is to provide support for
irrigation and land development in cardamom
plantations, better cardamom curing devices,
promoting organic farming, development of
spices in North Eastern States and post harvest
improvement of spices. Transfer of technical know-
how to growers on production of spices is an
important factor in increasing productivity and this
is done through a well-knit extension network.
iii) Export development & promotion of spices
The market development activities of the Board have
its focus on quality improvement, value addition
and technology and process upgradation. The
major thrust areas are infrastructure improvement,
research and new product development and setting
up of Infrastructure for common cleaning, grading,
processing, packing, storing facilities (Spices Park)
in major spice growing/marketing centers.
iv) Export oriented research
Increasing the production, productivity and
sustaining the productivity is the major challenge
taken up by Indian Cardamom Research Institute of
the Board during the plan programme. The impact
of climatic changes on production and increasing
cost of production are the major concerns to be
addressed to make Indian spices more competitive
in the International market.
v) Quality improvement and strengthening of quality evaluation laboratory
The Quality Evaluation Laboratory of the Board
provides analytical services to the Indian Spice
Industry and monitors the quality of Spices
7 Replantation and rejuvenation of Pepper plantations in Waynad district of Kerala and North Eastern states (Scheme approved in Oct 2009 for implementation during the next five years with an outlay of Rs.53.28 crores)
53.28(**) 5.00 5.02
Grand Total 496.14 85.40 100.00 93.89
Note: (*) Including expenditure under Replantation of Pepper in Waynad an NE (**) Scheme is to be implemented during the XI and XII plan.
190
Annual Report 2011-12
produced and processed in the country. It also
undertakes analysis of consignment samples under
the mandatory inspection of Spices Board.
vi) Human resource development & capital works
Regular training and retraining of the staff of
the Board in their functional areas, training
on cultivation aspects, post harvest handling,
processing etc., to growers and exporters in
the spice industry are programmes under the
scheme. Capital works including new construction,
maintenance of Board’s own building etc. are also
envisaged under the programme.
vii) Replantation and rejuvenation of pepper in Wynad district in Kerala and NE for implementation from 2010-11
This scheme is approved by the Ministry of
Commerce & Industry in October 2009 for
implementation during the next five years in
Wynad District of Kerala and North Eastern
States. It is proposed to take up replantation/new
plantation/rejuvenation of pepper in 22,500 ha
(20,000 ha in Waynad, Kerala, 1,000 ha in Assam,
500 ha in Meghalaya, 500 ha in Tripura and 500 ha
in Manipur) with a total financial outlay of ̀ 100.81
crores out of which ` 53.28 crores will be the
assistance from the Government of India. During
2010-11, against a budget allocation of ` 5 crores,
Spices Board has made expenditure of ̀ 4.74 crore.
In 2011-12, against financial target of ` 5 crores,
Board has utilized ` 4.99 crores upto 31.1.2012
viii) Project assisted under National Horticulture Mission for development of pepper in Idukki district of Kerala
Considering the necessity of reviving the pepper
industry in the country, Spices Board had submitted
a proposal to the National Horticulture Mission
(NHM) during February 2009 for development of
pepper in the country with focus on replantation
and rejuvenation of old, senile and disease affected
plantations. The proposal has been approved by the
Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government
of India in April 2009 for implementation during XI
Plan at a total project cost of ` 230.58 crores with
financial assistance from NHM at ` 120.00 crores.
The project is being implemented in Idukki district
of Kerala for a period of five years starting from
2009-10. Spices Board has utilized ` 16.38 crores in
Idukki districts from 2009-10 to 2010-11 for Pepper
development. The programme is well accepted by
the farmers. 4710.8 hectare has been replanted/
rejuvenated during 2010-11. Upto February, 2012,
5123 hectare area has been covered under the
programme.
Major initiatives
Spices Park
The primary objective of establishing Spices Park is
to empower the farmers with better price realization
and wider markets for their produce. The farmers
can utilize the common infrastructure facilities for
cleaning, grading and steam sterilization which will
ensure the quality of the product and thus a higher
price. The scientific packing and warehousing
facilities in the park and the quality testing facility
in the laboratory will improve the overall quality of
spices produced in the locality. Spices Park is a well-
conceived approach to have an integrated operation
for cultivation, post harvesting, processing for
value-addition, packaging and storage of spices
and spice products.
The Spices Board is in the process of establishing
Spices Parks in different spice producing states.
The first ever Spices Park was established in
Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh under ASIDE scheme
and started functioning in 2009. The Spices Park
at Puttadi, Idukki district of Kerala has also been
completed and started functioning in 2011. The
work is in progress for establishing Spices Park
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, Sivaganga in Tamil
Nadu, Kota and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Mehsana
in Gujarat and Guna in Madhya Pradesh. Board
has initiated steps for establishing Spices Park at
Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh. The Spices Parks at
Guna, Kota and Hamirpur are being set up under
the ASIDE scheme.
Regional Quality Evaluation Laboratories
The Central Quality Evaluation Laboratory of the
Board at Cochin has been upgraded and moved
to a new building with world class facilities. The
Regional quality evaluation laboratories at Mumbai,
Guntur and Chennai are functioning successfully.
Setting up Regional quality evaluation laboratory
and training centres at New Delhi, Kolkatta,
Tuticorin and Kandla are progressing. The regional
quality evaluation laboratories of the Board are
established under the ASIDE scheme.
Electronic Auction for Cardamom
The E-auction of cardamom in Kerala is now
conducted in the Spices Park at Puttadi of Idukki
district. The E-auction is also conducted in
Bodinayakanur of Tamil Nadu.
GI Registration of Spices
Spices Board has obtained Geographical Indication
(GI) registration for Byadagi chilli. This is in addition
to the GI registration obtained for Malabar
Pepper, Alleppey Green Cardamom, Coorg Green
Cardamom and Guntur Sannam chilli.
V. Price Stabilisation Fund Scheme
Price Stabilisation Fund Scheme was launched
by Government of India in April 2003 against the
backdrop of decline in international and domestic
prices of tea, coffee, rubber and tobacco causing
distress to primary growers. The growers of these
commodities were particularly affected due to
substantial reduction in unit value realization for
these crops, at times falling below their cost of
production.
The objective of the Scheme is to safeguard the
interests of the growers of these commodities and
provide financial relief when prices fall below a
specified level.
Enrolment of Growers
Out of the total target of 12.77 lakh growers
(growers having landholding up to 4 ha.), it was
decided to cover 3.42 lakh small growers in the
initial phase. As on 30 November 2011, the total
enrolment under the Scheme is 46,243, out of
which 18,919 are rubber growers, 11,594 coffee
growers and 15,730 tea growers. No tobacco
grower has joined the Scheme so far.
PSF Corpus Fund and Interest Accrued thereon as on 30.11.2011
PSF Scheme originally envisaged a Corpus Fund of
` 500 crores, out of which ` 482.88 crore was to be
contributed by Government of India and ` 17.12
crore by the growers by way of non-refundable
entry fee. As on 30 November 2011, deposits in
the PSF Corpus Fund were ` 435.44 crore, out of
which ` 432.88 crore had been contributed by GOI
and ` 2.59 crore by Growers by way of entry fee.
A sum of ` 294.47 crore as the balance of accrued
interest on the Corpus is available to the PSF Trust
as on 31.3.2011.
Announcement of Price Spectrum Bands
Since the launch of the Scheme in April 2003, the
PSF Trust has announced Price Spectrum Bands for
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,2008,2009 and 2010
and the cumulative committed financial assistance
stood at ` 5.43 crore.
192
Annual Report 2011-12
However, due to default by growers in depositing
their contribution during normal years, assistance
of ` 1.50 crore only has been released to tea,
coffee and Rubber growers as at the end of 30th
November 2011.
Personal Accident Insurance Scheme
A Personal Accident Insurance Scheme having a
cover of ` 25,000 was started for the growers of
Tea, Coffee, Rubber and Tobacco from 1.1.2005.
The Personal Accident Insurance Scheme was
reviewed by the Government and a modified
Personal Accident Insurance Scheme is under
implementation by PSFT through Cholamandalam
MS General Insurance Co Ltd. (for the period 2011-
12 and 2012-13). Salient features of the scheme
are as under:
The scheme covers the growers in the sectors •of Tea, Coffee, Rubber and Tobacco and Spices (chillies, cardamom, ginger, turmeric and pepper) having plantations up to 4 hectares only.
The Scheme covers all plantation workers •working on these plantations regardless of the size of holdings.
The insurance cover is up to • ` 1.00 lakh per person.
The premium of • ` 22.06 is shared between
Table 9.9
Year wise Price Spectrum Band and Cumulative committed Financial Assistance
(` in crore)
Commodity PSB 2003
PSB 2004
PSB 2005
PSB 2006
PSB 2007
PSB 2008*
PSB 2009
PSB
2010*
Total
Rubber 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.95 0 0.95
Coffee 0.82 0.58 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.40
Tea 0.09 0.73 0.74 0.75 0.77 0 0 0 3.08
Total 0.91 1.31 0.74 0.75 0.77 0 0.95 0 5.43
*boom year for all crops
the beneficiary and the PSF Trust in the ratio 50:50.
The target is • ` 57.17 lakh growers and workers.
A total of 1,35,355 growers and workers were
covered under Personal Accident Insurance
Scheme (PAIS) by National Insurance Company
Limited during 2010-11.
As on 15th December, 2011, a total amount
of ` 528086 has been released towards Price
Stabilisation Fund Trust’s (PSFT) matching
contribution to provide insurance cover to 47877
persons to Chola MS General Insurance Co Ltd.
Sector wise progress in respect of coverage for
2011-12 (upto 15 December 2011) is given in Table
9.10.
Table 9.10
Sector - wise progress under Personal Accident Insurance Scheme
Sector Growers Workers Total
Tea 0 16626 16626
Coffee 3777 305 4082
Rubber 0 0 0
Tobacco 11653 13984 25637
Spices 353 1179 1532
Total 15783 32094 47877
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
An amount of ` 23,23,717.50 has been released
towards premium under PAI Scheme, since
inception up to 31.03.2011
Progress in respect of settlement of claim
Received : 04 •
Settled : 04 (Tobacco workers) - • ` 1,00,000 each
VI. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority (APEDA) is
mandated with the development and promotion
of the export of scheduled agro products which
include Fruits, Vegetables and their Products; Meat
and Meat Products; Poultry and Poultry Products;
Dairy Products; Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery
products; Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products;
Cocoa and its products, Chocolates of all kinds;
Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Cereal
and cereal products; Groundnuts, Peanuts and
Walnuts; Pickles, Papads and Chutneys; Guar Gum;
Floriculture and Floriculture Products; Herbal and
Medicinal Plants. APEDA has also been entrusted
with monitoring of import of sugar.
The Commerce Secretary, Dr. Rahul Khullar addressing at the International Chef Conference “Basmati for the World 2011”, in New Delhi on November 22, 2011
Export Performance: The export of APEDA products
for the period April-November’11 is given at Table
9.11.
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Annual Report 2011-12
Except for negative growth in Fruits and Vegetable
sector, the provisional export data for the period
April-November, 2011 shows an overall positive
growth of 71.92 over the same period of previous
year.
APEDA Schemes
APEDA has been actively engaged in the
development of markets besides upgradation of
infrastructure and quality to promote the export of
agro products. In its endeavour to promote agro
exports, APEDA provides financial assistance to the
registered exporters under the following schemes:
Scheme for Market Development•
Scheme for Infrastructure Development•
Scheme for Quality Development•
Scheme for Research & Development•
Transport Assistance Scheme•
Infrastructure Developmental Activities
New Projects sanctioned during the year 2011-12
Table 9.11
Export Performance- APEDA products (April - November, 2011)
Value in ` Crores Product Group Export
April-Nov.’10
Export
April-Nov.’11
Growth in %
Floriculture & Seeds 309.39 380.38 22.95
Fruits & Vegetables 3182.62 3077.97 -3.29
Processed Fruits & Vegetable 1739.65 2376.48 36.61
Livestock Products 5997.64 8545.07 42.47
Other Processed Foods 4701.63 12223.20 159.98
Non-Basmati Rice 169.48 2801.53 1553.01
Basmati Rice 6512.48 8723.21 33.95
Wheat 0.56 428.48 76414.29
Other Cereals 1490.33 2881.96 93.38
Total 24103.78 41438.28 71.92
Source: DGCIS - November 2011 for principal commodities (Provisional)
(i) Installation of Tetra Pack Machine (TBA -19) at Parwanoo, Solan, Himachal Pradesh by HPMC.
The proposal of HPMC for installation of TBA-19
Tetrapak machine and TSA 30 straw applicator
at Parwanoo, H.P. District Solan for packaging of
fruit juices/drinks in 200 ML slim Tetra Packs was
approved by APEDA in its Authority meeting held
on 24.06.2011 for grant of ` 355.15 lakhs.
The proposed installation of TBA-19 machine will
improve the capacity of 200 ml Slim Tetrapack by
30% from 6000 per hour to 7800 per hour.
An MoU between APEDA and HPMC was signed
on 03.10.2011. First instalment of 40% advance
of ` 142.06 lakhs was released to HPMC on
12.10.2011. The machines are likely to be installed
by March 2012.
(ii) Setting up of cold storage at Spices park, Guna, Madhya Pradesh by Spices Board
The proposal of Spices Board for setting up of cold
storage at Spices Park, Guna, Madhya Pradesh
was sanctioned for a grant of ` 612 crores by the
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Authority in its meeting held on 24.06.2011. The
total cost of the project is ` 40.25 crore wherein
the contribution from ASIDE is to the tune of `
19.00 crores, remaining will be funded by Spices
Board and Government of Madhya Pradesh. The
project will be completed in two financial years,
2011-12 & 2012-13. The implementation is under
progress.
Two cold storages are to be funded by APEDA. The
cold storage facility proposed for is of 6 modules
with each module of 500 MT capacity, totaling to
3000 MT.
The process of signing of MoU with Spices Board
is under progress and is likely to be signed soon.
Thereafter the first instalment of ` 305.88 lakhs
will be released to Spices Board.
Running Projects
Currently there are nine common infrastructure
projects being implemented in Himachal Pradesh
by HPMC with an assistance of ` 25.15 crores by
APEDA. The year-wise details are as at Table 9.12:
The projects at Gumma and Jarol Tikker have been
completed and trials are being conducted. The
machinery is being installed at Oddi and Patlikuhl
Table 9.12
Infrastructure project at Himachal Pradesh
S.No. Year Project Location Product
1 2009-10 Pack House Kinnaur apples
2 2009-10 Pack House Jarol Ticker apples
3 2009-10 Pack House Gumma apples
4 2009-10 Pack House Nadaun Vegetables
5 2009-10 Pack House Patlikuhl apples
6 2009-10 Pack House Oddi, apples
7 2010-11 CA Store Gumma Apples
8 2010-11 CA Store Jarol Ticker Apples
9 2011-12 Installation of Tetrapak machine
Parwanoo Juices
projects and they will be commissioned within 3
months. For Kinnaur and Nadaun projects, the
land has been identified and land bearing capacity
is being tested. Tenders have been floated for
Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores at Gumma and
Jarol Tikker. The Tetrapak machine is likely to be
installed by March 2011 at Parwanu.
APEDA is funding Punjab Agri Export Corporation
(PAGREXCO) for setting up of pack houses at five
locations in Punjab namely, Mushkabad, Saholi,
Lalgarh, Kangmai and Sohal (babri) with a financial
assistance of ` 535.00 lakhs. Pack houses at four
locations namely Mushkabad, Saholi, Lalgarh and
Kangmai are nearing completion. The capacity of
mechanical handling viz. washing, drying, grading,
etc is 1.5 MT/hour and the total installed capacity
is 3600 MT for each pack house.
With an assistance of ` 440.00 lakhs from APEDA,
an Aseptic packaging has been set up by Andhra
Pradesh Trade Promotion Corporation (APTPC) with
a capacity of 6 MT per hour. The facility has been
completed in August 2011 and is in operation.
Three small pack houses are being set up by
Department of Horticulture, Government of
Andhra Pradesh at Vishakhapatnam, Rangareddy
196
Annual Report 2011-12
and Medak District with an assistance of ` 25.00
lakhs each from APEDA. The installation work
has been completed at Rengareddy and Medak
District.
APEDA is assisting Gujarat Agro Industries
Corporation Ltd to set up an M.A. cold store for
onions in Mahuva, Gujarat with a grant of ` 500.00
lakhs. The basic civil work & structural work is
completed. Grading work for three cold stores
completed and refrigeration panel work is going
on. The facility is expected to be completed by
end of financial year 2011-12.
For increasing export of banana from
the state of Gujarat, APEDA is funding three
projects with a total assistance of ` 18.72 crores
implemented by Gujarat State Agriculture
Marketing Board at Rajpipla, Kamrej and Pavi
Jetpur. The work is progressing at Rajpipla and
Kamrej which are expected to be completed by
end of financial year 2011-12.
With the financial assistance of APEDA to
the tune of ` 145.14 lakhs, Kerala State Industrial
Enterprises ltd. is setting up cold storage facility at
Calicut Air Cargo Complex. The project is expected
to be completed by end of financial year 2011-12.
Three MoUs have been signed on
20/12/2011 between APEDA and Agricultural
marketing and Agri Business, Tamil Nadu for
setting up of pack houses for fruits and vegetables
at Dindigul, Tindivanam and Coimbatore with an
assistance of ` 75.00 lakhs from APEDA.
Quality Developmental Activities
1) Recognition of laboratories and HACCP implementation and certification agencies
Five new laboratories were recognized totaling
23 laboratories for sampling and analysis of
APEDA scheduled products for exports. Two
National Referral Laboratories and 10 recognized
laboratories were upgraded with high precision
analysis equipments. One new agency totaling 5
agencies for certification of HACCP was recognized
by APEDA during the period.
2) Substantial revisions were carried out for implementation of following Regulations of exports through control of agrochemical residues and aflatoxins
a) Regulation of export of fresh table grapes to the European Union through control of residues of chemicals to ensure food safety compliances for the export season 2011.
b) Regulation on control of aflatoxins for exports of peanuts and peanut products from India to ensure food safety compliances of the importing countries.
3) Following Procedure were revised for implementation through Indian Oilseeds & Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC) for recognition of groundnut processing units
a) Procedure for grant of recognition certificate to peanut processing units for export of peanuts to the European Union.
b) Procedure for grant of recognition certificate to peanut shelling and/or grading units for export of peanuts to the European Union.
c) Procedure for grant of recognition certificate to godowns/storage for export of peanuts to the EU.
d) Procedure for grant of recognition certificate to peanut processing, shelling grading units, storage and godowns for export of peanuts and peanut products to countries other than EU.
4) Standardization
a) Seven new product standards totalling 49 standards for fresh fruits and vegetables
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
were developed for notification under Agmark Act. Another 10 to 12 standards are being developed and are at the stage of discussions with the stakeholders.
b) Contributed to National Technical Working Groups on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) related to development and notification of IndiaGAP standards by Bureau of Indian Standards and Quality Council of India.
5) Capacity Building and trainings
a) Organized training program to the laboratory personnel on methods of sampling and analysis by EC in NRC Grapes Pune (NRL for horticulture produce) to align methods of sampling and analysis followed by Indian laboratories at par with the standards followed by the laboratories of EU countries.
b) Eight APEDA officials participated in EU rapid alert system training organized by
Box 9.2
Participation In International & National Events
International Events
India Show, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 20th to 22nd May, 2011•
Mango Promotion Campaign 2011, Dubai, UAE from 29th June to 3rd July•
Summer Fancy Food Show, Washington DC, USA from 10th to 12th July, 2011 •
Malaysia International Food and Beverages Trade Fair, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 13th to 15th July•
Profood/Propack International Exhibition, Colombo from 26th to 28th August•
World Food Moscow 2011, Moscow, Russia from 13th to 16th September, 2011•
INDEXPO 2011, Muscat from 20th to 22nd September, 2011•
Biofach America 2011, Baltimore, USA from 22nd to 24th September, 2011•
Anuga, Cologne, Germany from 8th to 12th October, 2011 •
India Show Toronto, Canada 17-20 October, 2011 •
National Event
AAHAR – International Food Fair, Chennai from 25th to 27th August, 2011•
EC in Delhi, Mumbai and Cochin during the year. APEDA Mumbai office also coordinated Mumbai training program alongwith their participation.
Major Achievement
The Director of APEDA, Mr. Sanjay Dave was elected
as the Chairman of Codex Alimentarius Commission
(CAC), an UN body for food safety standards. It is for
the first time in the history of CAC, that an Indian
official has been elected at such a coveted post.
Developmental Activities in Organic
Promotion
Report on Implementation of National Programme of Organic Production (NPOP) for The Year 2011-12
Since the implementation of the National
Programme of Organic Production (NPOP) in 2001
by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, there has
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Annual Report 2011-12
been steady growth in export of organic products
from India. The growth has been independent of
market development efforts both for exports as well
as for the domestic market. In the last five years,
organic agriculture has developed rapidly in India
and has become an attractive opportunity to most
developed countries to source organic products.
The Indian industry has sustained an annual growth
rate of 20 % in production and at the same time has
offered a considerable price premium (20-25%) to
producers of organic products.
Area under organic certification
The total area registered under organic certification
is 4.75 million HA Introduction of the Grower group
certification at the national level has helped the
small & marginal farmers with small land holdings
to collectively access the organic market. Presently,
more than five lakh farmers are able to market
their certified products.
Production
India produced certified organic products around
2688109.83 MT till December 2011. The production
is not limited to only the edible sector but also to
fibers, cotton, cosmetics, body care products etc.
Major products exported
The total volume of organic products export till
December 2011 was around 76202.68 MT. The
export destination were to European Union,
Canada US ,Africa, Australia ,Asia and rest to other
countries realizing value of ` 552.55 Crores.
Major Initiatives of APEDA during the year – Amendments in NPOP for increasing the scope of certification of organic products
Realizing the potential of animal, aquaculture
& textile products in India, APEDA initiated the
standards setting process in these specific areas to
expand the export basket of organic products. This
will ensure India to cater to the demand of these
potential organic products in all major importing
countries. These standards are expected to be
approved by June, 2012.
Promotion of organic products
For creating a brand image of Indian Organic
products in the global market, promotion of the
trade mark “India Organic” logo was carried out in
the international organic fairs Biofach in US, Japan
and Germany
Implementation of the Web based traceability for organic products
A user friendly web - based traceability system called
“TRACENET” has been developed by APEDA for
enhancing the credibility of certification of organic
products under NPOP. This system helps APEDA in
maintaining authentic and related data of all the
organic stakeholders ie. operators (producers,
processors, traders exporters) and certification
bodies. Tracenet is under implementation since
June 2010.
Accreditation of certification bodies
Two new domestic agencies namely Biocert India
Pvt Ltd, Indore and Madhya Pradesh State organic
certification Agency, Bhopal have been accredited
by the National Accreditation Body under NPOP
making the total number of CBs under NPOP to
22.
India to be the “country of the year” at Bio Fach, Germany - February, 2012
Considering the potential and significant
development of Indian organic products, Nurnberg
Messe, the organizer of Bio Fach has selected
India to be the “Country of the Year” at Bio Fach
exhibition. The event has been successfully held
during 12th February to 18th February, 2012.
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Developmental activities in North East Region
EDF–NER: Though no formal EC-EDF meeting was
held during the year , but a meeting was chaired by
Additional Secretary, DoC with officials of APEDA
and the NER states. APEDA made a presentation
about all the ongoing proposals highlighting the
status and problem areas. Several decisions were
taken in the meeting which are being followed
up with the respective State Government and
entrepreneurs.
IT related achievements
APEDA Website regularly updated with latest •notifications / Trade notice / Govt. orders / Quality matters and was enriched with other useful contents for the year 2011-12.
Agri Exchange portal upgraded with latest •Agro exports statistics and International trade databases with user friendly report development features. 1763 Buying and selling leads were received on this portal during 9 months.
New online peanut.net traceability system •implemented for tracking export consignment of Peanut and Peanut products to EU countries.
The existing online software applications were •upgraded with new user friendly features and facilities for better services to the stakeholders.
APEDA RCMC database uploaded / updated in •the DGFT servers as per system developed.
Traceability during the year 2011-12
Traceability system for Groundnut “peanut.net”
was developed and implemented successfully with
the support of its stakeholders.
Process initiated for setting up of HortiNet
Traceability system for some of the horticulture
products.
UNESCAP, ADB, APO and FAO invited APEDA at
various forums in Korea, Cambodia and Rome for
showcasing traceability initiatives taken by APEDA.
The TraceNet project (traceability system for
organic products) bagged the e-Asia award 2011 at
Taiwan and Indian Agriculture Leadership Award at
New Delhi.
Other Sectoral Developmental Activities
Horticulture sector
Promotional Programs: Mango promotion
program was organized during the year 2011 at
Dubai. In this events mango preparations were
served through identified super/Hyper markets
and Indian restaurants in order to make Indian
mango visible to general consumers and apprise
them of the uniqueness of the product. Dinner for
dignitaries was also organized.
Market Access issues
After persistent efforts of APEDA in close
coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture,
Australian Market for Indian mangoes opened
during the year 2011 with Vapor Heat Treatment
and Hot Water Treatment agreed as mitigation
measures for quarantine aspects. Initially the
BioSecurity Australia has agreed to import mangoes
from Lucknow, Barabanki and Saharanpur belts of
Uttar Pradesh only since these areas have been
found to be pest free. A team of two quarantine
experts from BioSecurity Australia visited for a
preliminary audit of the Vapour Heat Treatment
facility/Hot Water Dip Treatment facilities at
the packhouses of UP Mandi Parishad located at
Saharanpur and Lucknow. A small quantity of 1.03
MTs was exported by two exporters during the
year. Efforts are being strengthened for exports
during 2012 year.
Regular follow up has been maintained with Ministry
of Agriculture and United States Department of
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Annual Report 2011-12
Agriculture - Animal & Plant Health Inspection
Services (USDA-APHIS) to complete the Pest Risk
Analysis (PRA) for market access for Pomegranates
to USA post irradiation. Later USDA-APHIS hosted
the final draft version of the PRA document for
public comments which were to be received by
28th November, 2011.
For market access for Indian table grapes in
Australia, the PRA has reached the final stages with
BioSecurity Australia having acceded to India’s
suggestions on mitigation of pests and it has been
intimated that the report will soon be published.
Follow up has been done on market access requests
for Walnut, grapes, pomegranates, okra and brinjal
in South Korea, Grapes, Walnuts, Banana and Litchi
in Chile, Mango, Pomegranate and okra in New
Zealand. The New Zealand Quarantine authorities
visited the Mango orchards and processing facilities
in May 2011.
CCC in Grapes: Consequent upon the Chlormequat
(CCC) problems of 2010 season, interactions
were held with all stakeholders and the Residue
Monitoring Plan document was modified
enhancing the list of agro chemicals to be tested to
171. Though there was a drop in export of grapes
to the EU market, but there was no incidence of
detection of residues beyond permissible levels,
during the year.
General
The visit of USDA-APHIS and Japanese Quarantine
Inspectors for overseeing the mango export
operations was successfully organized and
coordinated.
With report of higher than permissible levels
of residues of pesticides being detected in
consignments of Okra, curry leaves and betel
leaves in the Middle East and the European
Union, concerted efforts have been made to
develop vegetable clusters and 20 such clusters
were identified in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Training
programs were held in some clusters during the
year.
The visit of a Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Commerce was successfully organized to Himachal
Pradesh in July, 2011 and to Gujarat in November,
2011.
Livestock Sector
Opening up of new market like Algeria and efforts
were continued to open other markets like Russia,
CIS countries and China.
Take up the issues related to export of frozen
buffalo meat in the existing markets like Egypt,
Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Angola.
Market access to Middle East and SAARC countries
was resumed for export of poultry products after
the declarations of Bird flu free status in India.
Six member delegation from Malaysia visited India
from 9th April to 23rd April, 2011 for meat plant
inspection.
Six member delegation from Saudi Food and Drug
Administration (SFDA) visited India from 28th May
to 10th June, 2011 for meat plant inspection.
A DGFT notification was issued on 31st October,
2011 for export of meat and meat products from
India. The objective of the notification was to
ensure the export of meat and meat products,
only sourced from APEDA registered integrated
abattoirs or APEDA registered meat processing
plants that sources raw material exclusively from
APEDA registered integrated abattoirs/abattoirs.
Visit of Plant Registration Committee were
coordinated by APEDA for inspection of various
meat plants and animal casing processing units for
annual registration of meat processing plants for
exports.
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
In view of the increased emphasis on human,
animal and plant health and safety aspects in the
global markets, a number of steps were initiated
to improve capabilities for meeting these quality
requirements as per the notified standards. Meat
processing plants were encouraged to implement
quality systems such as HACCP, ISO, etc.
Cereals Sector
“Basmati for the World 2011” - International Chef Conference
APEDA organised an international Chefs Conference
at Hotel The Grand, New Delhi on November
22-23, 2011. 12 celebrity chefs and 40 eminent
food journalists/writers from identified markets
in different parts of the world came together, to
promote Basmati Rice.
During the event a Coffee Table book containing
Indian and foreign Basmati Rice recipes, edited
by the Chef Shilpi Gupta was released by the Dr.
Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary. Sessions for
interaction/briefing by Commerce Secretary both
for Indian and international media were held.
The main attraction of the two-day event was the
open kitchen where the Chefs cooked Basmati
dishes. On the first day, the kitchen was taken over
by the international Chefs.
The next day Indian Chefs were joined by famed
culinary author Nita Mehta, who delighted the
experts with her special Indian dishes. Chef Shilpi
Gupta and Chef P. Sekhar were amongst the other
participants.
This event is expected to lead to better reach of
Basmati Rice to main stream cuisine like Mexican,
Thai and Italian food.
Registration of Basmati Rice as GI
APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility
by Govt. of India for protection of intellectual
property vested in Basmati Rice. The application
filed by APEDA with the GI Registry in Chennai in
Nov. 2008 was published in journal of the Registry
in May 2010 for opposition.
Response to the nine oppositions received by
the Registry have been filed by APEDA and it is
expected that the application would now come for
hearing soon.
Recognising Basmati as an Indian GI, the Court of
Appeal, Morocco has recently allowed APEDA’s
appeal and ordered to cancel the offending
trademark “LES CAFES BASMATI”.
Accreditation of Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) Lab
Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF),
registered as a society in 2002. has mandate
for undertaking activities for development and
integration amongst diverse stakeholders such
as farmers, millers, traders, and exporters for
strengthening the supply chain.
For quality assurance, authentication and purity
check of Basmati, a world-class laboratory has
been set up in the premises of SVBP University of
Agriculture and Technology at Modipuram, Merrut
(UP) for DNA profiling and Quality Testing. This lab
was notified by DGFT w.e.f. March 31, 2010, as an
authorized centre for testing of Basmati rice samples
drawn by Customs for variety identification. About
1600 samples received from Customs and DRI have
been tested by the Lab
In June 2011 the Lab has obtained ‘Certificate of
Accreditation’ from National Accreditation Board
for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) under
ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
Focus on promotion of Basmati Rice in the international trade fairs
A special focus is given on promotion of Basmati Rice
in the most of the international trade fairs where
202
Annual Report 2011-12
APEDA participates with All India Rice Exporters
Association. During the year major fairs included,
Summer Fancy Food Show, USA in June 2011 and
Anuga 2011 at Germany in October 2011.
Processed Food Sector
For reducing the presence of aflatoxin in groundnuts,
regulation of export of peanut/peanut products
to EU and Far East countries a residue monitoring
protocol have been developed in consultation with
IOPEPC and other stake holders and a peanut.net
traceability software was implemented from 1st
April, 2011.
A meeting with the groundnut industry was
organized at Pune on 15th October, 2011 for
reviewing the issued related to development and
export of peanut and peanut products from India.
A team of Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) Mission
also visited APEDA on 25th October, 2011 to review
the action taken by India for control of aflatoxin in
groundnuts exported to EU and found significant
improvement in control systems, implementation
of Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP)
etc. by peanut processing units.
Considering the export potential of Indian wine,
APEDA had a brain storming session in Pune
on 10th November, 2011 with All India Wine
Producers Association and wine exporters for the
development and export of wine from India.
Regular interaction with All India Food Processors
Association and Industry to put emphasis on
promotion and export of value added food items
from India.
Agri Export Zones
The 60 AEZs sanctioned between 2001 and 2004 by
the Steering Committee envisaged an investment
of ̀ 1717.95 crores and export of ̀ 11821.47 crores
over a period of 5 years. Against these projections,
these AEZs are reported to have crystallized a total
cumulative investment of ` 1490.65 Crores and
cumulative export of ` 38363.00 Crores upto June
2011.
Welfare of SC/ST employees
The development of SC/ST employees is well
looked after by the Authority. APEDA has no
unresolved grievance from any SC/ST employees.
APEDA is maintaining reservation roster as per the
Government policy and recruitment and promotion
is strictly made in accordance with roster.
VII. Tobacco Board
Tobacco is an important commercial crop in India.
India is one of the largest producer and exporter of
tobacco in the world. Tobacco contributed about
` 15,502.38 crores as excise revenue in 2010-11
to the National exchequer and earned foreign
exchange of ` 4,210.41 crores. The sector provides
employment directly and indirectly to 36 million
people. Presently, tobacco is being cultivated in
an area of about 4.25 lakh hectares in the country.
The annual production of tobacco is nearly 700
Million kgs- including Flue Cured Virginia (FCV)
and non-FCV varieties. About 300 Million Kgs. of
FCV Tobacco is produced in an area of 2.16 lakh
hectares mainly in the States of Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka. Among the Non-FCV types, Burley,
Harvel De-Bouxo Rio Grande (HDBRG) and Natu
are the exportable styles. Bidi tobacco is cultivated
in an area of about 1.67 lakh hectares, mostly in
the States of Gujarat and Karnataka with an annual
production of nearly 160 Million kgs.
Insurance Schemes for Growers/Barns
& Stocks
Implementation of Group Personal Accident Policy and Barn & Stock Insurance Policy in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha & Maharashtra
For 2011-12, the Board has arranged insurance
coverage for registered tobacco growers in
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra under
comprehensive package policy by M/s. Oriental
Insurance Co. Under the package the growers are
provided Group Personal Accident Policy Coverage
for a sum assured of ̀ 1,00,000 per grower. Further
the policy package provides for comprehensive
insurance coverage for tobacco barns, stocks and
ancillaries, for sum assured of ` 5,40,000 The
particulars of growers and barns covered are as
follows (2011-12 crop season).
Table containing number of Growers, number of
Barns covered and Sum Insured is at Table 9.13.
Table 9.13
Group Personal Accident Policy and Insurance Policy
Name of the Policy
No. of Growers
No. of Barns
Sum Insured
(`)
Group Personal Accident Policy
44457 ---- 1,00,000
Comprehensive insurance for tobacco barns, stocks & ancillaries
---- 37151.75 5,40,000
Growers’ Welfare Schemes
Tobacco Board has created a “Tobacco Growers
Welfare Fund” in 2009-10 with corpus of ̀ 25 crores
with contribution in the ratio of 1:2 by the tobacco
growers (` 1000 each) and the Tobacco Board
(` 2000 for each grower) to implement various
welfare schemes. The schemes in operation during
2011-12 are:
1. Providing Relief in the event of death of the grower members (` 25000 for natural death and ` 50000/- for accidental death).
2. Providing financial relief for treatment for major illnesses requiring surgery for the growers and family members of the growers (` 25000 interest free loan).
3. Providing loans on interest for education to the dependent children of the grower members (` 25000 @4% interest loan).
4. Providing amount as advance for the marriages of girl child of the grower member (` 25000 interest free loan).
5. Providing interest free loan for repairing the barns damaged due to natural calamities (` 25000 per barn fully damaged ` 10000 per barn for partially damaged).
The details of relief/ assistance extended scheme
wise during the period April 2011 to October 2011
(2011-12) are at Table 9.14.
Table 9.14
Scheme wise Beneficiaries and Relief / Assistance Sanctioned during 2011-12 (April-
October)Category Particulars No. of
BeneficiariesAmount (`)
Grants Natural death 442 1,10,50,000
Accidental death
32 16,00,000
Total 474 1,26,50,000
Girl – child marriage
129 32,25,000
Loans for medical treatment of Major Illness requiring surgery
15 3,75,000
Loans for repairing the barns damaged due to natural calamities
- -
Loans with interest
Loans for Education of Children with 4% interest
37 9,25,000
Total 655 1,71.75,000
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Annual Report 2011-12
Government of India, vide their letter dated
06.01.11 has communicated sanction for an
amount of ` 27.505 crores towards payment of
compensation to the tobacco growers for damage
of their tobacco crop due to cyclonic weather
conditions and incessant rains during November-
December, 2010 in Andhra Pradesh.
The details are as follows:-
Compensation for fully damaged crop – • ` 17.85 crores @ ` 6000 per ha., (Area 29,750 ha)
Compensation for partially damaged crop –• ` 9.655 crores @ ` 4000 per ha. (Area 24,136.80 ha).
The compensation amounts were directly •credited into growers’ bank accounts during January, 2011.
Auction
The auction system for sale of FCV tobacco was
introduced for the first time in Karnataka in 1984
followed by Andhra Pradesh in 1985.
Progress made during 2011-12 (April –
October, 2011)a) A total quantity of 173.25 M.kgs. of 2010-
11 Andhra Pradesh FCV tobacco crop was marketed in 20 auction platforms at an average price of ` 87.64 per kg. Out of this, during 01.04.11 to 13.10.2011 (the last auction day for the season), a quantity of 167.49 M.kgs. of tobacco was marketed at an average price of ` 86.70 per kg.
b) A quantity of 14.70 M.kgs. of 2011-12 Karnataka FCV tobacco crop was marketed at an average price of ` 103.99 per kg. upto 31.10.2011. It is anticipated that the entire estimated production of about 105.58 M.kgs. of 2011-12 Karnataka FCV tobacco would be marketed by the end of March 2012. The average price realized as on 31.10.2011 is by ` 6.48 per kg. (6.14%) over the average price of ` 97.51 per
kg. realized by the farmers of Karnataka for the same volume sold last year.
Export - 2010-11
The exports of tobacco and tobacco products
during 2010-11 were 252298 tons valued at `
4210.41 crores (923.94 M.US$) against 259566
tons valued at ` 4402.29 crores (928.37 M.US$)
exported in 2009-10.
Progress of exports in 2011-12 (April
–October, 2011)
During April – October 2011, exports of Tobacco
and Tobacco Products were 135065 tons valued at
` 2182.33 crores (476.70 M.US$) against 145471
tons valued at ` 2395.16 crores (522.39 M.US$)
exported during the corresponding period of last
year.
During April – October 2011, the unmanufactured
tobacco exports were in the order of 112449 tons
valued at ` 1627.35 crores and exports of Tobacco
products are in the order of 22616 tons valued
at ` 554.98 crores. The unmanufactured tobacco
exports had declined by about 10% in quantity
terms and 13% in value terms, while the exports of
tobacco products increased by 7% in quantity terms
and 5% in value terms during this period. Overall,
exports of Tobacco and Tobacco Products declined
by 7% in quantity terms, 9% in Rupee terms and
9% in Dollar terms over the corresponding period
of last year.
With a view to promote the exports of tobacco and
tobacco products, the Board had participated in
international exhibitions at the following places to
show case the Indian unmanufactured tobacco and
tobacco products.
1) Inter Tabac 2011, Dortmund, Germany during 23-25 Sep., 2011
2) World Tobacco Expo, 2011, Munich, Germany during 8-10 Nov., 2011
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
3) Tabexpo 2011, Prague, Czech Republic during 15-18 Nov., 2011
As a part of export promotion activities, Chairman,
Tobacco Board had led a tobacco trade delegation
to China along with Mr. Ajit B. Chavan, Deputy
Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and
trade members during 26-30 September, 2011.
The delegation held discussions with the officials of
STMA, CNTC & CTI on the issues relating to revival
of exports of Indian tobacco to China.
The Tobacco Board had issued advertisement in
International Tabacco magazines at a cost of ` 3.18
lakhs from April 2011 to October, 2011 promoting
Brand Image of Indian Tobacco and Tobacco
products.
Trading Wing
Modified Personal Accident Insurance Scheme
Modified Personal Accident Insurance Scheme was
introduced in 2005 and modified in December, 2008,
by the Price Stabilization Fund Trust established
under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
The Scheme will cover the growers in the sectors
of Tea, Coffee, Rubber and Tobacco having
plantations upto 4 hectares only. The scheme
will also cover the permanent plantation workers
working on these plantations. Growers who have
enrolled themselves under the PSF scheme earlier
don’t have to pay membership fee. The growers of
tobacco have to pay ` 100 for availing the benefit
of the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, as they
did not join the main PSF Scheme. For tobacco,
the family members of the growers working in
cultivation are also considered for insurance.
The vendor agency during the years 2009-10 & 2010-
11 was National Insurance Company Limited and
the vendor agency for 2011-12 & 2012-13 is M/s.
Cholamandam M.S. General Insurance Company
Limited. The premium for the policy to be issued
for every individual would be ` 22.06 per annum
(including Service Tax) for the year 2011-12 & 2012-
13 and this would be subsidized by PSF Trust @ 50%
of the premium. The share of premium payable by
the individual growers and their beneficiaries is `
11 per annum. The insurance cover will be upto
` 1.00 lakh per person. The Personal Accident
Insurance Scheme is a standalone scheme and is
not linked to the main PSF Scheme.
During the year 2011-12 (April-October 2011),
21413 tobacco growers and 27949 workers in
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have joined under
the Scheme. During 2011-12 (April – October 2011)
an amount of ` 5.00 lakhs was released towards
compensation under the said scheme in respect
of five death cases of tobacco growers and their
workers.
VIII. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
The Marine Products Export Development
Authority, a statutory body under the Department
of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry is
mandated for the development of export of marine
products from India.
Export
Compared to the corresponding period of previous
year, Exports of marine Products during the first nine
months of 2011-12 registered a growth of 6.67% in
quantity, 27.62% in rupee value and 24.06% in US$
realization as indicated in Table 9.15.
Table 9.15
Export Performance of Marine ProductsExport details 2010-11
(April – December)
2011-12(April –
December)
Growth %
Quantity Tonnes 612505 653387 6.67
Value in ̀ Crore 10018.47 12785.98 27.62
US$ Million 2213.82 2746.48 24.06
Unit Value $/Kg 3.61 4.20 16.30
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Annual Report 2011-12
Major Export Markets
South East Asia become the No.1 market for Indian
marine products with a share of 25.67 % in US $
realization and 39.54 % in quantity followed by
European Union, United States of America, Japan,
China and Middle East.
Major Items of Export
Frozen Shrimp continued to be the major export
item during the period of April to December 2011
accounting for 50.70% of the total US $ earnings.
Fish, the second largest export item in value term,
accounted for a share of about 39.66% quantity and
19.25 in US $ earnings. Frozen Fish exports during
the period increased by 12.50% in quantity, 28.45%
in rupee value and 21.87% in US $ earnings.
Thrust Areas
To facilitate enhanced export of marine products
MPEDA has been giving greater thrust in the
following areas: -
1. Extending financial assistance for conversion / construction of Tuna Long Liners and imparting training to crew to develop tuna industry to boost the export of tuna
2. Implementation of Catch Certification scheme for preventing/discouraging illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
3. Diversify culture practices by popularizing cage farming of finfish and organic culture of shrimps and conducts demonstration of Seabass culture, mussels farming.
4. Implementation of Organic aqua farming programme to promote organic farming of Black Tiger Shrimp and Scampi in the maritime States.
5. Promoting ornamental fish breeding for export and also for employment generation in rural and semi urban areas.
6. Research and Developmental activities in developing and disseminating appropriate technologies by innovative methods for increased production and sustainable development of aquaculture of commercially important fin fish and shell fish through Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA).
7. The upgradation of fishing harbours to international standards is a must for sustaining / expanding our international markets.
8. Assist the setting up of state-of-art processing facilities for value added marine products meant for export.
9. MPEDA is operating a Sea-freight assistance scheme for the promotion of export of value added marine products by the registered seafood manufacturer exporters. The scheme also offers assistance for import of raw material for further processing and re- export as value added seafood.
10. MPEDA has introduced a voluntary logo of quality for promotion of value added consumer products in major markets. The Inter Departmental Panel has approved one more unit in Andhra Pradesh under the Logo scheme and the logo is likely to be awarded to them shortly.
11. MPEDA is operating an insurance scheme with M/s. United India insurance co. Ltd., to safe guard the welfare of the workers employed in seafood processing and pre-processing industry.
12. Ensure production of quality seafood by setting up sophisticated laboratories in the maritime States.
13. Extending linkages to the grass root level by ensuring better extension packages to fishermen / farmers and the workers engaged in various stages of processing of marine products.
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
14. Establishing presence of Indian Seafoods in major International markets by co-branding Indian products with seafood giants abroad.
15. Participate in International Seafood Shows to showcase the strength of Indian marine products industry and trade relationship and Organized biannual India International Seafood Show and Aqua Aquaria India.
16. Registration Certificates and RCMC Certificates are issued on-line through MPEDA Offices. Financial Accounting, Payroll, Pension, Personnel, GPF, Stores and Inventory, Asset Management etc are computerized. Subsidy Application processing & Subsidy disbursement and NRCP Lab testing are also computerized.
Appropriate schemes/measures have been devised
to achieve these objectives.
Steps taken to increase production and exports
Extending financial assistance for conversion/ •construction of tuna long liners and imparting training to crew for the development of tuna industry.
Assistance for fishing vessel owners for the •installation of insulated fish hold / refrigerated seawater system / ice making machinery for onboard fishing vessel for better preservation of catch and earning of more value for the catch.
Under the Catch Certification scheme •introduced from 1st January 2010, MPEDA have validated 18113 certificates and for the period 1st April 2011- December 2011, 6812 catch certificates are validated.
Extend technical assistance for the •development of new area under shrimp culture as well as for sustainable farming practices. Also provide financial assistance to new farm development in all the maritime States of the country.
With the introduction of Pacific white shrimp •into India, a significant increase has been noticed in the aquaculture production from the maritime States of the country. Steps have been initiated to setup the broodstock multiplication centre at MPEDA facility at TASPARC, Visakhapatnam by RGCA so that required number of broodstock for the sector could be produced in a bio-secure condition and can be supplied to the sector as and when required. Efforts are also on for assisting the aqua farmers in establishment of nursery rearing centres of exportable varieties of finfish and shellfish in various maritime States.
In a high level meeting attended by Chief •Minister and other officials of the Governments of Kerala, appraised the potential and constraints in utilizing water logged areas in the State for scampi farming. Based on the outcome of the meeting, a task force was formed and the surveys of the potential areas are under progress.
Encouraging formation of Aqua farmers •Welfare Societies of small farmers for adoption of code of practices for sustainable shrimp culture by extending financial assistance for setting up common facilities.
To popularize the technology on crab farming, •field demonstrations continued and two new programmes were initiated in Orissa for which the cost for inputs like seed, feed and crab fencing is being extended by MPEDA.
Demonstrations of Seabass are in progress in •the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Reports indicate that the growth is satisfactory. Efforts are taken to initiate more number of demonstrations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal.
MPEDA extending financial assistance for •establishment of PCR diagnostic laboratories in the hatcheries / private labs under shrimp health management.
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Annual Report 2011-12
GIS Mapping of shrimp and Scampi farms in •the maritime States except West Bengal is in the final stages of completion. Efforts are also being made to utilize the databases developed for the intended purposes.
MPEDA have been involved in various •promotional activities like organizing training programmes on management practices on improving the quality of the culture variety, avoiding the use of antibiotics in aquaculture operations, diversification of aquaculture varieties like Seabass, Crab, etc. To facilitate quality supply of the inputs like seed and feed to the aqua farmers, MPEDA is involved in the monitoring the hatcheries on quarterly basis and collecting the feed samples from production units for quality analysis.
India Organic Aquaculture Project (IOAP) •involves in the development of certified organic shrimp/ scampi seed, certified organic aqua feed, organic certification of aquaculture farms and organic certification of processing plants to boost the export of organic aqua products from India. MPEDA is continuing the initiative to promote the production and export of Organic Seafood from the country.
Organic shrimp produced in West Bengal and •Andhra Pradesh were exported to Europe, for the first time. The organic freshwater prawn (Scampi) produced from Kerala was also exported to Europe during the year. The Authority plans to expand the area under organic aquaculture in order to increase the organic seafood production from the country to meet the international demand.
MPEDA is encouraging mass production of •good quality ornamental fish by assisting breeders for setting up modern breeding centers. Under this scheme, subsidy assistance up to maximum of 50% of capital investment is given for setting up ornamental fish breeding units classified into 3 grades based on the
investment and production capacity. The maximum assistance for Grade - I, II & III unit is ` 75,000, ` 2,00,000 & ` 7,50,000 respectively. Employment generation in rural and semi urban areas is a bye product of this scheme.
The guidelines for Green Certification of •Freshwater Ornamental fish have been prepared and released to ensure product quality, safety and traceability and thereby adding value to the produce. MPEDA has also formulated the guidelines for the registration of Ornamental Fish Breeding Units (OFBU) for a stable, healthy and sustainable ornamental fish sector in the country.
MPEDA assists the processors/pre-processors •to construct/renovate captive/ independent pre-processing centers as per EU/HACCP guidelines.
MP• EDA introduced the Interest Subsidy scheme to compensate a certain amount of interest payable by the plant owners to the bankers from whom they have availed loan for the up gradation of their facilities to achieve equivalency to EU/GOI norms.
An Inspection Team of the Food and Veterinary •Office (FVO) of the European Commission visited India from 14th to 25th November, 2011. During their visit they had monitored the maintenance of hygiene and sanitation in the primary production areas such as fishing vessels, fishing harbours, landing centres, aqua farms, seafood processing establishments and ice plants etc.
In order to improve the hygienic conditions of •the fish landing centers and ensure the quality of the raw material used for processing, Tube ice making machines / chill rooms were being installed at three harbours in Andhra Pradesh and two harbours in Tamil Nadu.
To prevent unhygienic and unauthorized •pre-processing activities, two Common Pre-processing Centres (CPC) have been constructed
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CHAPTER-9 Commodity Boards and other Development Authorities
at Ambalapuzha and Sakthikulangara in Kerala. A proposal for another CPC at Balramgarhi in Orissa has been submitted to the States Cell of MoCI for availing funds under ASIDE scheme.
A Japanese Study Team visited India from 24-•28 October 2011 and undertook a study on capacity building and quality control system management including implementation of HACCP system in Indian Seafood Industry, relevant EU Regulations for promoting export of marine products to the European Union etc. The team visited processing plants, fishing harbours, labs MPEDA HO and EIA Kochi.
MPEDA laboratories at Kochi, Nellore, and •Bhimavaram are analyzing samples under National Residue Control Plan (NRCP) 2011. During January to October a total of 2490 samples were received and 2397 samples analysed by these laboratories against the target of 2,598 samples. MPEDA Lab at Bhimavaram and Kochi are approved by EIC for analyzing commercial samples also.
MPEDA has set up 16 ELISA Screening •Laboratories in various maritime States with automatic ELISA testing equipment to screen for the presence of antibiotic residues like Nitrofuran metabolites and Chloramphenicol in cultured shrimp under the Pre-Harvest Testing (PHT) programme, before the aqua cultured shrimp / scampi are sold to the processors. Under the PHT programme, during January to October a total of 21,277 samples were tested by the 16 ELISA labs.
The monitoring of Cadmium content in •Cephalopods (Squid, Cuttlefish & Octopus) is done / studied in samples caught in all the regions on East & West coasts. About 100 samples have been allocated to different field offices located along the East and West coasts.
Under the project for Monitoring of Pesticide •Residues at National Level (MPRNL) - funded
by Department of Agriculture (MoA), during the year 2011-12, 480 samples of inland fishes and crustaceans, marine crustaceans from the maritime States of India will be analysed. During April - October 2011, 280 samples have been analyzed and the results communicated.
MPEDA offer developmental assistance for the •export of ornamental fishes/ aquarium plants to the registered exporters and the assistance is to the tune of 10% of FOB value.
To increase the processing capacity of •value added seafood products MPEDA is operating various subsidy schemes for the benefit of existing exporters and also to the new entrepreneurs for creation of required infrastructure facilities.
MPEDA introduced the Technology Upgradation •Scheme for Marine Products (TUSMP) to provide financial assistance to exporters for setting up new units (Category I), to expand the existing production capacity for value added products (Category II) and for diversifying into value addition (Category III). The assistance will be subject to full commitment of the exporter by fulfilling an annual export obligation covering specifically notified value added products.
MPEDA extending financial assistance for •establishment of modern cold storages to store various seafood products at –20˚C for maintenance of the quality of frozen marine products till shipment.
MPEDA has a vision to set up Special Economic •Zones (SEZ) to promote import of raw material for value addition and re-export and to make India a seafood processing hub.
Under export promotion schemes, MPEDA •participated in major international seafood fairs around the world and displayed a wide range of India’s products especially value added products to generate awareness and demand.
In order to disseminate the vast potential of the •
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Annual Report 2011-12
fisheries and aquaculture sector and to highlight investment opportunities in this field by Indian entrepreneurs, MPEDA has participated in domestic fairs. MPEDA organised the 18th Indian International Seafood Show at Chennai from 29th February to 2nd March 2012 and a total 698 delegates participated in the Seafood Show. About 100 number of foreign delegates also participated in the show.
Aqua Aquaria India 2011 was organised by •MPEDA in February 2011 which was attended by large number of Aquaculture farmers and Ornamental fish breeders.
MPEDA invites delegation to visit India and •sends delegation to leading seafood-buying countries to strengthen the trade links and
opened up many business opportunities for the seafood trade which would be further strengthened by future delegations
NETFISH and NaCSA, the two societies •formed for undertaking extension education programmes continue their effort in capture and culture fisheries sectors, for quality up gradation and for capacity building of small scale shrimp farmers, cluster formation and management.
Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) •continues its pioneering effort in Research and Development of new Aquaculture Hatchery Technologies for production of seeds and farming technology for increased production form Aquaculture.