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Various sectors1. Agriculture2. Commerce and IT3. Finance4. Education5. Rural development6. Water resource7. Science and Technology8. Health & FAMILY welfare9. Environment and forest10. Consumer affair and public distribution11. Water resource
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Agriculture
Agriculture provides the principal means of livelihood for over 58.4% of India's population. It contributes approximately one-fifth of total gross domestic product (GDP). Agriculture accounts for about 10 per cent of the total export earnings and provides raw material to a large number of industries. Low and volatile growth rates and the recent escalation of agrarian crisis in several parts of the Indian countryside, however, are a threat not only to national food security, but also to the economic well-being of the nation as a whole.
In this section important links are given regarding the policies and plans made by Government and numerous other things which may be of a great help to the farming community and a lot of other people dependent on agriculture in one way or the other.
1. Overview of the Sector
/ General overview
/ policies & plan
2. Statistics, Reports and Publications
/agricultural statistics
/ annual report
/ICAR guidelines for intellectual property management and technology
Transfer/commercialization
/department of agriculture and co-operation, reports and document
/result frame work document
3. Technology, Research & Development
/drought management
/technology mission on oilseeds, pulses and maize
/agriculture mechanization
/plant protection
4. Irrigation
/ rainfed farming
/ national watershed development fund(nabard)
/Information about water districts/ tamil nadu
5. Crop Production
/crop production scheme
/seeds
/ integrated nutrient management(fertilizers)
/plant protection
/National project on organic farming
6. Animal Husbandry
/ cattle and buffalo development
/poultry development
/piggery development
/feed and fodder development
/dairy development
/fishery
7. Horticulture
/fruits
/vegetables
/ spices
/plantation crops
/flowers
/medicinal and aromatic plants
/ bee-keeping
8. National Resource Management
/soil and water conservation
/ Conservation of threatened breeds
9. Ministry of Agriculture
/ministry
/departments
/directorates
/attached offices
/subordinate offices
/autonomous bodies
/boards
/commissions
/councils
/PSUs and joint ventures
/divisions/units/wings/ branches
/others
10. State Level Information
Each states boards/ councils/department
11. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
/coir board
/kvic
12. Online Services
/Mandi Prices online - AGMARKNET (External website that opens in a new window)
Coconut Industry Directory (External website that opens in a new window)
Insecticides Product Directory (External website that opens in a new window)
Insecticides Products: Crop-wise Directory (Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee) - External website that opens in a new window
Online Directory Registration for Manufacturers (Coconut Development Board) - External website that opens in a new window
Register with the Database of Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (External website that opens in a new window)
Online Registration Form for Coir Entrepreneurs (External website that opens in a new window)
Discussion Forum, Coconut Development Board) - External website that opens in a new window
Future Trading Price Information (Coconut Development Board) - External website that opens in a new window
Journal Subscription Status, Coconut Development Board (External website that opens in a new window)
Coconut Journal Subscription (External website that opens in a new window)
Schemes Application Status (Coconut Development Board) - External website that opens in a new window
Search Agricultural Universities and Courses Offered to Foreign Students (External website that opens in a new window)
Find Out Vacancies/ Employment Opportunities in Various Organisations/ Divisions/ Bodies/ Boards Under Ministry of Agriculture (External website that opens in a new window)
Online Services from Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Search and Apply Online for Training Courses Across States (External website that opens in a new window)
Procedure for setting up a Micro, Small and Medium Scale Unit
Overview
Agriculture is the mainstay of the Indian economy. Agriculture and allied sectors contribute nearly 17.8 and 17.1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP of India) during 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively. The agricultural output, however, depends on monsoon as nearly 55.7 per cent of area sown is dependent on rainfall.
An all time record in production of food grains of 233.88 million tonnes is estimated in 2008-09 as per 4th Advance Estimates. This is about 13.10 million tones more than last year's production of food grains. The production of rice is estimated at 99.15 million tonnes which is about 2.46 million tonnes more, production of wheat is estimated at 80.58 million tonnes which is 2.01 million tonnes more, production of coarse cereals is estimated at 39.48 million tonnes which is 1.27 million tonnes more and production of pulses is estimated at 14.66 million tonnes which is about 0.99 lakh tonnes more than the production during 2007-08. The sugarcane production is estimated at 2,712.54 lakh tonnes which is about 769.34 lakh tonnes less than the production during 2007-08. Cotton production is estimated at 231.56 lakh bales (of 170 kg. each) which is 27.28 lakh bales more than the production during 2007-08. Jute and mesta production during 2008-09 is estimated at 104.07 lakh bales (of 180 kg each) which is about 8.04 lakh bales less than the production during 2007-08.
The total area coverage under food grains in 2008-09 has been reported as 123.22 million hectares against 124.07 million hectares in 2007-08. The area under rice is estimated at 453.52 lakh hectares which is significantly higher about 1,437 lakh hectares. However, the area coverage under wheat during 2008-09 estimated at 278.77 lakh hectares is slightly lower by around 1.62 lakh hectares. The total area coverage under coarse cereals during 2008-09 is estimated at 276.17 lakh hectares which is slightly lower by 8.64 lakh hectares as compared to 2007-08 The increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) in 2008-09 over 2007-08 amongst cereals has ranged between 8.0 per cent wheat to 52.6 per cent (ragi). The percentage increase in case of paddy (common) is 31.8 per cent. In case of pulses, the increase has ranged between 8.1 per cent (gram) and 48.2 per cent (urad and moong).
Centrally Sponsored Scheme on National Food Security Mission has been launched in the country to enhance the production of rice, wheat and pulses by 10, 8 and 2 million tonnes respectively by the end of the 11th Plan. The Mission covers 312 districts in 17 States and has become operational from Rabi 2007-08. The focused and target oriented technological intervention under NFSM has made a significant impact since inception which is reflected by the fact as per the third advance estimate of 2008-09, the production of rice has raised to a level of 99.37 million tonnes thus depicting increase of 2.68 million tones when compared to 2007-08 and 6.02 million tonnes against 2006-07. Similarly, the situation is also promising in case of wheat, wherein the production of wheat showing an increase of 2.76 million tonnes over the last year. Consequently, as per the third advance estimate of 2008-09, the production of wheat is estimated to the level of 77.63 million tonnes which is 1.82 million tonnes more that 2006-07. In case of pulses, the production was recorded at 14.20 million tonnes during 2006-07. Accordingly, as per the third advance estimate of 2008-09, the production of pulses is estimated at 14.18 million tonnes, which is almost a stagnated production trend when compared to 2006-07.
The Union Government has constituted a National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) on 03-11-2006 to give focused attention to the problem of the rainfed areas of the country. The Authority is an advisory, policy making and monitoring body charged with the role of examining guidelines in various existing schemes and in the formulation of new schemes including all externally aided projects in this area.
A scheme of debt waiver for small and marginal farmers and debt relief for other farmers has been announced by the Government in the Union Budget for 2008-09. Against the target of Rs.2, 25,000 crore for agriculture credit flow for 2007-08 the achievement was Rs.2, 43,569 crore.
Agricultural Extension has been strengthened and Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs) have been set up in 565 districts by the end of 2007-08.
Under NHM, an area of about 8.25 lakh hectares has been brought under horticulture crops, 1.17
lakh hectares of senile plantations have been rejuvenated and 1710 new nurseries have been set up since launching of NHM in 2005. An area of about 6 lakh hectares has been covered under the Scheme of Micro Irrigation since it was launched in 2006. Current year's target is coverage of 4 lakh hectares.
Policy and plan
Policies and Plans
Indian Government, at all levels, announces Policies and Plans, to help farmers and the agricultural growth in general, from time to time. In this section, we have attempted to provide you with easy and single point access to information about several policies and schemes of the Government.
Agriculture Policy: Vision 2020 (PDF - 985 B) (PDF file that opens in a new window)
Maharashtra’s Agriculture Policies on Women (File referring to external site opens in a new window)
Government Policy and International Regulatory Regimes (External website that opens in a new window)
Government Policy and International Regulatory Regimes
Articles and Links
International Trade in Agriculture: A Research Guide by Lee Peoples.
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).
AGRIFOR high quality resources in Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
International Food and Agricultural Trade Policy Council- Up to date reports on Agro trade negotiations.
WTO Negotiations and Agreements on Agriculture.
National Agriculture Policy ( India).
Follow up action on the National Agriculture Policy.
India ’s National Agricultural Policy: a critique.
Alternative National Agriculture Policy ( India) suggestions for new policies .
Overview of agricultural sector and policies in India.
Analysis of Agrarian Reform in India.
Long-term Agricultural Growth and Agricultural Policy in India and Pakistan
Impact of Agrarian Reform on Dalits in India
Homepage of the European Commission's ' Agriculture and Rural Development' website.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (EU) Agricultural Codes and Schemes for International Trade.
BBC Q&A on EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
USDA brief on CAP
European Commission brief on CAP reform
HM Treasury Department vision for CAP
WWF report on effects of CAP on environment on international trade and environment
USDA Laws and regulations page
National Agricultural Law Center (US).
Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI)
FAPRI U.S and world agricultural outlook.
Agricultural Policy Analysis Center (Univ. of Tennessee)
Effects and remedies of US farm policies worldwide
An analysis of the likelihood of change in US agricultural policy
Farm Produce Price Policy
LLRX.com
Features - International Trade in Agricultural Products: A Research Guide
By Lee Peoples, Published on April 11, 2004Printer-Friendly Version
Lee Peoples is the Head of Reference Services at Oklahoma City University Law Library. He received his Bachelor of Arts, Juris Doctorate, and Masters of Library and Information Science degrees all from the
University of Oklahoma. Lee and other law librarians at the OCU Law Library team teach advanced legal research courses in U.S. law and foreign, comparative and international law.
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AGREEMENTSA. World Trade Organization
1. Researching the WTO and the Agreement on Agriculture
B. United Nations Entities
1. Researching UN Entities C. Other International Organizations
III. REGIONAL TRADE ORGANIZATIONS AND AGREEMENTS
A. The Americas
1. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
2. Other Regional Trade Agreements and Associations
B. Europe
1. European Union
a. Researching EU Agricultural Law
2. Other European Regional Trade Agreements and Associations C. Asia D. AfricaIV. UNITED STATES TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
A. International Trade Agreements
B. Domestic Legislation
C. Administrative AgenciesD. Administrative and Judicial Decisions
V. TRADE LAWS OF OTHER COUNTRIES
A. Sources of Foreign Agricultural Trade LawsB. Tariff DatabasesC. General Resources for Finding Foreign Laws
VI. BIBLIOGRAPHIES OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES
VII. RESEARCH GUIDES AND LINKS
VIII. STATISTICS
I. INTRODUCTION
Trade in agricultural products accounts for less than ten percent of world merchandise exports but is perhaps the most volatile of trade issues.2 A former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture characterized agricultural trade as “enigmatic, often inexplicable, always exasperating” and the most distorted segment of the global economy.3 Disagreements over trade in agriculture have been blamed in part for the recent breakdown of the World Trade Organization’s negotiations in Cancún, Mexico and the less than ideal agreement produced during the Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations in Miami Florida.4 Conducting legal research into international agricultural trade may appear as daunting as the subject itself. The topic involves aspects of international and domestic law including: intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations; treaties and agreements; dispute resolution; customs; tariffs; domestic trade law and policy; and, statistics. This guide aims to make researching international agricultural trade law less overwhelming by providing an introduction to the sources and methods involved in the research process.
II. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AGREEMENTS
A. World Trade Organization
Countries eager to re-establish trading relations after the Second World War agreed to the General Agreements on Tariff and Trade (GATT), which entered into force in 1948.5 The original GATT agreement technically applied to trade in agriculture but it contained many loopholes that were easily exploited by parties to the agreement.6 Member nations tackled trade in agriculture during the Uruguay Round negotiations and, after lengthy debates and delays, produced a multilateral treaty called the Agreement on Agriculture in 1994.7 The goals of the Agreement are to establish a trading system that is fair and market oriented by increasing market access and reducing domestic and export subsidies on agricultural products.8 The Agreement established a Committee on Agriculture to oversee the Agreement’s implementation. The Agreement provides for disagreements between member nations to be submitted to the Committee on Agriculture or handled through the WTO’s dispute settlement procedures. The Uruguay
Round also produced the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement (SPS) which allows member nations to take measures to protect human, animal or plant life or health and the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement which requires member nations to protect agricultural chemicals and plant varieties with patents.9 The Agreement on Agriculture calls for additional reforms through continued negotiations which occurred at ministerial conferences at Doha, Qatar in 2001 and in Cancún, Mexico in 2003.10 The Cancun negotiations ended in deadlock when ministers from poorer nations failed to reach agreement with ministers representing richer nations on issues of agricultural trade, investment and government procurement.11
1. Researching the WTO and the Agreement on Agriculture
Researching the Agreement on Agriculture involves not only consulting the text of the Agreement but also the history of the negotiations, drafting of the Agreement, official documents issued by WTO bodies interpreting the Agreement, tariff schedules, documents produced during subsequent ministerial rounds, documents and legislation implementing the Agreement, Committee on Agriculture documents, and dispute settlement decisions. Researchers must also be familiar with the WTO documentation system, the WTO web pages and the series BASIC INSTRUMENTS AND SELECTED DOCUMENTS (BISD). Helpful research guides to the WTO include:
Trade Topics: Agriculture, a useful jumping off point that provides background information and links:http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/agric_e.htm Jeanne Rehberg, WTO/GATT Research, accessible at: http://www.llrx.com/features/wto2.htm
WTOTERM, a terminology database, accessible at: http://wtoterm.wto.org/
a. WTO Documentation System
Official WTO documents are assigned symbols by the WTO Secretariat. The symbols are a series of letters and numbers that identify and organize the documents. The first part of the symbol identifies which collection the document belongs to. Most documents related to trade in agriculture will belong to the trade in goods collection and be identified with the letter “G.” Within document collections a further division is made into classes of documents sharing a common legal framework called a series. For example documents produced by the Committee on Agriculture would be further identified with the letters “AG.” An additional letter is used to identify specific types of documents. For example reports would be identified by the letter “R.” Finally, documents are numbered in sequential order. Symbols are created when all of these letters and numbers are placed together.12 For example, the Committee on Agriculture’s first report would be identified by the symbol G/AG/R/1. More information on the documentation system is available from:
GATT ANALYTICAL INDEX: GUIDE TO GATT LAW AND PRACTICE. 6th ed. Geneva: WTO and Bernan Press, 1995. Pages 8-18 provide a key to the document symbols.
WTO ANALYTICAL INDEX: GUIDE TO WTO LAW AND PRACTICE. 1st ed. Lanham, MD: Bernan, 2003. The introduction provides an update to the information found in the GATT Analytical Index.
Mesa, Juan M. Legal and Documentary Research at WTO: The New Documents On-Line Database. 4 JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC LAW 245 (2001). Provides an introduction to the
documentation system and a discussion of how to obtain documents online.
b. BASIC INSTRUMENTS AND SELECTED DOCUMENTS (BISD)
The series BASIC INSTRUMENTS AND SELECTED DOCUMENTS (BISD) Geneva: Contracting Parties to the GATT, 1952-. Lanham, MD: Bernan Press and WTO, 1998-, is the official compilation of WTO documents. The first series covers 1952-1995 and contains the text of legal instruments, decisions, resolutions, recommendations, reports, texts of protocols of accession, dispute reports and other material but omits summary records of ministerial conferences, council minutes and secretariat documents. The second series begins with WTO material in 1995 and contains protocols of accession, decisions and reports adopted by WTO bodies and select Uruguay Round documents but omits dispute panel reports, appellate body reports and arbitration awards.13 The series is kept up to date with annual supplements containing indexes. BISD is available on CD-ROM and is searchable in the Lexis database (INTLAW;BISD).
c. Text of the Agreement on Agriculture
Agreement on Agriculture, April 15, 1994, Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, 1867 U.N.T.S. 410.
THE LEGAL TEXTS: THE RESULTS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS. Annex 1A. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 1999.
DENNIN, JOSEPH F. ED. LAW AND PRACTICE OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana, 1995-.
Agreement on Agriculture from the WTO website, accessible at:http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/legal_e.htm#ag
In the Westlaw database (GATT) and in the Lexis database (INTLAW;GATT)
d. Negotiation and Drafting of the Agreement, Interpretive, Ministerial and Implementation Documents
GATT ANALYTICAL INDEX: GUIDE TO GATT LAW AND PRACTICE, 6th ed., is a guide to the interpretation and application on the GATT and subsequent agreements up to January 1995. The work contains 43 chapters, each devoted to a GATT Article, containing the text of the Article, application and interpretation of the Article, drafting history of the Article, other relevant documents from the preparatory work, early years of the GATT and the Review Session of 1954-55. The history of the Uruguay Round is covered in this volume. A subject index provides access to the contents.
WTO ANALYTICAL INDEX: GUIDE TO WTO LAW AND PRACTICE. 1st ed., provides similar material as the GATT ANALYTICAL INDEX but for the period from January 1995 – June 30, 2001. Primary content includes the Marrakesh Agreements Establishing the World Trade Organization. Also accessible online at:http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/analytic_index_e/analytic_index_e.htm
THE GATT URUGUAY ROUND: A NEGOTIATING HISTORY. Boston: Kluwer Law and Taxation Publishers, 1993.
GUIDE TO THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENTS. Boston: Kluwer Law International, 1999.
CROOME, JOHN. RESHAPING THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM: A HISTORY OF THE URUGUAY ROUND. 2d. ed. Boston: Kluwer Law International, 1999.
Reif, Linda C. History of the Uruguay Round, in DENNIN, JOSEPH F. ED. LAW AND PRACTICE OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana, 1995-. See booklet A, p 1, Commentary Volume.
JACKSON, JOHN H. AND ALAN O. SYKES, IMPLEMENTING THE URUGUAY ROUND. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.
e. Committee on Agriculture
Annual Reports, Summary Reports (minutes) of regular meetings of the committee and Working Documents of the Committee are accessible from the WTO’s web page on the Agriculture Agreement at:http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/agric_e.htm
f. Continued Negotiations
The Agreement on Agriculture calls for the parties to negotiate additional reforms during the Agreement’s implementation period. These negotiations have occurred during ministerial conferences at Doha, Qatar and Cancún, Mexico. The ministerial mandates, news of the negotiations, minutes of special meeting sessions, chairpersons reports, proposals, secretariat background papers, working documents and statements are all available from the WTO’s webpage on the negotiations, accessible at:http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/negoti_e.htm. Additional information about the Cancun conference is available at: http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/min03_e/min03_e.htm
g. Tariff Schedules
Consult the Marrakesh Protocol to the GATT 1994 and scroll down the page for access to each country’s schedule of commitments: http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/legal_e.htm#marrakesh
URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS: LEGAL INSTRUMENTS EMBODYING THE RESULTS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND. Geneva: GATT Secretariat, 1994.
THE RESULTS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND. Geneva: WTO, 1996.
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION AGREEMENTS ON CD-ROM: THE LEGAL TEXTS AND SCHEDULES: SERVICES ISSUE I. Geneva: WTO, 2002.
When member nations apply certain tariffs or safeguard procedures they are required to notify the Committee on Agriculture. These notifications are accessible from the WTO’s web page on the Agreement on Agriculture at:http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/agric_e.htm
h. United States Implementing Legislation
Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809, 19 U.S.C. 3501(1994) et seq.
REAMS, BERNARD D. JR., AND JON S. SCHULTZ, URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENTS ACT: A LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF PUBLIC LAW NO. 103-465. W.S. Hein & Co., 1995.
<Table of Contents>
B. United Nations Entities
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency within the United Nations (UN) founded in 1945 with the mandate of raising nutritional levels, improving productivity, standards of living and bettering the conditions of rural populations. The FAO gives assistance to developing countries, serves as a clearinghouse for agricultural information and provides a neutral forum for member nations to discuss agricultural policies. The Basic Texts of the FAO govern its structure and functioning and include a constitution and various rules. The FAO is governed by a Conference of the member nations. The Conference elects members to serve on the executive branch of the organization, the Council. The FAO web page is accessible at: http://www.fao.org/
The FAO has identified trade as one of a number of “priority areas” for development. The organization is working to enhance the relationship between agriculture, economic development, food security and trade. The organization also works to inform and include developing countries in WTO negotiations on agriculture. The web page “Trade in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry” provides a number of features including: detailed discussions of the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture; a database of agriculture statistics called FAOSTAT, a database of commodity prices and tariffs called AMAD; a database of national laws and regulations relating to food and agriculture called FAOLEX; an archive of country profiles; a mapping information system; a virtual library with many documents in full text; a glossary of terms; and, various reports and studies. The web site is accessible at: http://www.fao.org/trade/ Other United Nations entities relevant to international trade in agricultural products include:
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), created to combat hunger and rural poverty, accessible at: http://www.ifad.org/
Hague Conference on Private International Trade Law, accessible at: http://www.hcch.net/e/index.html
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), accessible at: http://www.uncitral.org/
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), accessible at:http://www.unctad.org/Templates/StartPage.asp?intItemID=2068
Permanent Court of Arbitration, accessible at: http://www.pca-cpa.org/
International Court of Justice, accessible at: http://www.icj-cij.org/
The World Bank is a specialized United Nations agency devoted to fighting poverty and improving living conditions worldwide. The Agricultural Trade Group of the World Bank studies the agricultural economies of developing countries and disseminates agricultural trade knowledge. The Group is currently conducting studies into agricultural trade in developing countries and the ongoing WTO negotiations and is developing a handbook on these trade issues. The World Bank web site provides news, data, statistics, studies and publications, accessible at: http://www.worldbank.org/
1. Researching UN Entities
a. UN Documentation System
The UN has a system of document symbols that must be understood to competently conduct research. The symbol is basically a series of letters and numbers separated by slashes. The letters and numbers represent the institution from which the document originated, any subsidiary organs involved with the document, the type of document, any modifications made to the original, and the year the document was issued. For more information see: United Nations Documentation: Research Guide, accessible at:http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/
Jeanne Rehberg, United Nations: Lawmaking Activities and Documentation, in ACCIDENTAL TOURIST ON THE NEW FRONTIER: AN INTRODUCTORY GUIDE TO GLOBAL LEGAL RESEARCH 157-165 (Jeanne Rehberg and Radu D. Popa, eds., Littleton, CO: Rothman, 1998)
2. Tools for UN Research
UNBIS Thesaurus is an online thesaurus containing terminology used in United Nations documents, accessible at: http://unhq-appspub-01.un.org/LIB/DHLUNBISThesaurus.nsf
UNBISnet is a catalog that searches bibliographic records of UN documents, voting records, and indexes to speeches, accessible at: http://unbisnet.un.org/
UN-I-QUE is a ready-reference file created by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library to respond to frequently asked questions and to provide quick access to document symbols for UN materials, accessible at: http://lib-unique.un.org/lib/unique.nsf
The UN Document Centre provides access to a variety of basic UN documents, accessible at:http://www.un.org/documents/
FAO Trade in Agriculture Glossary and Acronyms, accessible at: http://www.fao.org/trade/glos.asp?menuItem=sub8
3. Treaties Deposited With the UN
The FAO Constitution empowers the Conference to approve and submit conventions and agreements concerning food and agriculture to member nations. The Organization also serves as a depository for these agreements once they have been concluded. The conventions and agreements are accessible from
the FAO web site, at:http://www.fao.org/Legal/treaties/treaty-e.htm
The FAO web site also provides links to multilateral agreements related to trade in agriculture, accessible at:http://www.fao.org/trade/agre3.asp?menuItem=sub8
C. Other International Organizations
Carins Group was formed in 1986 to promote free trade in agricultural products. Its seventeen member nations export one-third of all agricultural exports worldwide. The group’s web site contains information about its history, documents from ministerial meetings, proposals, scholarly papers and links, accessible at:http://www.cairnsgroup.org/index.html
Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), a neutral forum for the discussion of strategic issues in agricultural research for development with the goals of ending poverty, increasing food security and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, accessible at: http://www.egfar.org/
International Coffee Organization, works with the countries producing and consuming coffee to improve living conditions, accessible at: http://www.ico.org/index.htm
International Federation of Agriculture Producers (IFAP), a cooperative group of agricultural producers that aims to meet the nutritional and consumption needs of the world population, accessible at: http://www.ifap.org/
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, is attempting to secure the worldwide use of organic agriculture principles, accessible at: http://www.ifoam.org/
International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, accessible at: http://www.ifama.org/
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED) a group of 30 member countries committed to democratic governments and improving market economies. Browse by topic and select “Agriculture, Food and Fisheries” and “Trade and Agriculture” to view statistics and reports discussing the agricultural trade policies of member countries, accessible at: http://www.oecd.org/home/
<Table of Contents>
III. REGIONAL TRADE ORGANIZATIONS AND AGREEMENTS
A. The Americas
1. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The NAFTA Agreement is designed to liberalize trade and remove trading barriers between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Trade in agriculture was one of the most sensitive issues addressed by the Agreement. The United States and Canada were reluctant to agree to major changes because of the powerful farm lobbies in both countries. The ejido communal land system and communal farming protected by the Mexican Constitution further complicated the negotiations.14 Agreement on agricultural issues was finally reached through two separate bilateral agreements, an exception to the single trilateral agreements reached on all other NAFTA issues.15
The provisions of the agreement relating to trade in agriculture are primarily found in Chapter 7 of the
NAFTA Agreement. The Agreement keeps in place trading rules that existed between the United States and Canada under the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). Additionally, the NAFTA Agreement aims to restrain export subsidies, eliminate trade barriers, reduce and eventual eliminate tariffs between the United States and Mexico, provides for dispute resolution and institutes Sanitary and Psytosanitary Measures (SPS), similar to those found in the Uruguay Agreement, to protect human, animal and plant life.16
a. Text of the NAFTA Agreement
NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES. Washington D.C.: GPO, 1993. (not yet printed in the UST).
HOLBEIN, JAMES R., AND DONALD J. MUSCH, EDS. NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana, 2003 -.
Available from the NAFTA Secretariat’s web site at: http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL MATERIALS. Washington D.C.: American Society of International Law, 1963 - , reprinted the NAFTA in volume 32 at pages: 289, 605, 1480, 1499, 1519.
Accessible from the Westlaw and Lexis databases (NAFTA).
b. Domestic Implementing Legislation and Legislative History
1. United States
North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, Pub. L. No. 103-182, 107 Stat. 2057 (1993); 19 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.
REAMS, BERNARD D., THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA): DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS INCLUDING A LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT, PUBLIC LAW 103-182. Buffalo, N.Y.: William S. Hein, 1994.
2. Mexico
“El Tratado de Libre Commercio en America del Norte,” D.O. 14 de diciembre de 1993.
Translated into English in: HOLBEIN, JAMES R., AND DONALD J. MUSCH, EDS. NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana, 2003 -.vol. 2, booklet 13.
3. Canada
North American Free Trade Implementation Act of June 23, 1993, ch. 44, 1991- 1993 S.C. Reprinted in: HOLBEIN, JAMES R., AND DONALD J. MUSCH, EDS. NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana, 2003 -. vol. 2, booklet 12.
Accessible from the Department of Justice of Canada at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/N-23.8/index.html
2. Other Regional Trade Agreements and Associations
Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) was founded in 1942 and currently has 34 member states. The organization analyzes and builds consensus on agricultural policies and issues and specifically attempts to foster successful participation in the international trading markets, accessible at:http://www.iica.int/eliica/
Andean Community is based upon the Cartagena Agreement and its members include Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The Community’s agreements, legislation, dispute settlement decisions and other documents are available from the web site: http://www.comunidadandina.org/endex.htm
Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) established in 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas. The organization has regional trade agreements and a common food marketing agreement called the “Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Food Corporation. CARICOM’s web site provides access to news, press releases, treaties, protocols, agreements, information about the Caribbean Court of Justice and statistics, accessible at:http://www.caricom.org/
Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) this organization was created in 1994 by 34 governments endeavoring to unite their economies into a single free trade area where barriers to trade and investment would be progressively eliminated. The web site provides information on trade negotiations and summits, drafts of the FTAA Agreement, ministerial declarations and documents, documents from negotiating groups, a trade and tariffs database and information about special committees, accessible at: http://www.ftaa-alca.org/alca_e.asp. The Negotiating Group on Agriculture is working to negotiate the text of the Agreement relating to agriculture. The specific mandates given to the Group on Agriculture and press communiqués outlining the Group’s achievements are available from the Group’s web site accessible at: http://www.ftaa-alca.org/ngroups/ngag_e.asp. Links to bilateral trade agreements and customs unions between countries within the FTAA are available from the Foreign Trade Information Center (SICE), accessible at: http://www.ftaa-alca.org/NGROUPS/NGMADB_E.asp
Southern Cone Common Market Treaty (MERCOSUR) a free trade area agreement between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay created in 1991. The agreement creates a common market that includes the co-ordination of policies in foreign trade, agriculture and other areas. The Treaty also includes dispute settlement provisions. The text of the treaty in English, protocols, decisions and resolutions, and articles about the Treaty are available from the SICE web page, accessible at:http://www.sice.oas.org/agreemts/Mercin_e.asp#MERCOSUR
The MERCOSUR secretariat’s website provides information in Portuguese and Spanish only, accessible at:http://www.mercosur.org.uy/
B. Europe
1. European Union
The domestic and international agricultural policy of the European Community was first annunciated in 1957 by Articles 32 to 38 in Title II of the Treaty of Rome, now known as the Treaty Establishing the European Community. The objectives of the common agricultural policy (CAP) set forth in Article 33 of the Treaty are: the increase of productivity; maintenance of a fair standard of living for farmers; stabilization of markets; and, provision of products to consumers at reasonable prices. Article 34 provides that the CAP shall be achieved by establishing common agricultural markets (COM) in the form of common rules on
competition, co-ordination of national markets, a European market organization and common machinery for stabilizing imports or exports. According to Article 37 of the Treaty, the Council of the European Union (Council) acting on proposals from the European Commission and in consultation with the European Parliament sets up market organizations which are then implemented by the Commission.17 Market organizations exist for most agricultural products produced within the EU. Their primary function is to set common prices, grant aid to producers, control production and regulate trade.18 Market organizations may require importers to obtain import licenses or pay import levies and may take measures to safeguard the community market. Organizations also pay subsidies to EU exporters to bring their prices in line with the world markets.19
The CAP has evolved since its introduction. The early policy of community preference, adopted by the European Council in 1962, gave preferences and price advantages to EU agricultural products over imported goods and protected the internal market from price fluctuations and cheap imported products.20 In 1992 prices were reduced in an effort to become more competitive in the international market. Radical and fundamental reform of the CAP began in 1997 to prepare for enlargement of the EU and the implementation of the Uruguay Round agreements of the WTO. The reforms contain measures aimed at making the EU more competitive in the world agricultural market, doing away with trade distorting practices, and allowing farmers to produce what the world market demands.21
a. Researching EU Agricultural Law
In researching the agricultural trade law of the EU it is important be familiar with the different types of documents produced by Council, Commission and Parliament. The Council and Commission issue Regulations, Directives and Decisions. Regulations are binding on member states and are a statement of what needs to be done to achieve goals. Directives provide a framework that must be enacted into the local law of member states. Decisions bind the member states or parties they are addressed to. The researcher may also encounter Commission publications called Green Papers which are communications on a specific policy area and White Papers which are proposals for Community action in a specific area. Legislation introduced in the Commission is called a “COM” document and is assigned an accession number including the last two digits of the year and other information. The Parliament produces Session Documents, Opinions, and Debates that are relevant to legislation.22
Guides helpful in conducting research are:
Raisch, Marylin J. European Union Law: An Integrated Guide to Electronic and Print Research, accessible at:http://www.llrx.com/features/eulaw.htm
Glossary of EU terms: http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/cig/g4000.htm
The web page “Trade in Agricultural Goods and Fishery Products” provides current legislation relating to trade in agricultural products, updates on WTO negotiations, and information about sanitary, psytosanitary and biotechnology trade issues, accessible at:http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/sectoral/agri_fish/index_en.htm
The web page “Activities of the European Union: Agriculture” is the jumping off point for information about agriculture and the European Union. It provides general information and links to EU institutions and resources, accessible at: http://europa.eu.int/pol/agr/index_en.htm
Information about CAP reform is available from the web pages: “EU Agriculture and the WTO”, accessible at:http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/external/wto/backgrou/cancun_en.pdf and “CAP Reform,” accessible at:http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/capreform/index_en.htm
b. Treaty Establishing the European Community/Treaty of Rome
Treaty Establishing the European Economic Community, March 25, 1957, 298 U.N.T.S. 3, 4 Eur. Y.B. 412. Also known as the Treaty of Rome. In 1993 the Maastricht Treaty renamed it the Treaty Establishing the European Community.
Accessible from the Eur-Lex web site at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/treaties/dat/C_2002325EN.003301.html
Accessible from the Lexis database (TREATY) and the Westlaw database (EU-TREATIES).
c. Sources of Agricultural Legislation
Eur-Lex’s analytical register provides all agriculture legislation currently in force arranged in a topical outline form, accessible at:http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/lif/ind/en_analytical_index_03.html
Summaries of the different market organizations (e.g. eggs, rice, tobacco ... ) including the CAP objective, citations and hyperlinks to community measures and information about implementation are accessible at:http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/s04004.htm
The official gazette of the EU is the Official Journal (OJ) and is available on line at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/oj/ The OJ is divided into two parts: Series L contains legislation in the form of regulations and directives adopted by the Council and the Commission; Series C contains information and notices in the form of a variety of information including information, notices, communications, proposed legislation and is updated daily. References to the OJ indicate what part the material is published in, either L or C, the volume and page number. For example L/20/19 refers to a document published in the L Series, volume 20 and on page 19. The L series is accessible on Westlaw in the database (EU-LEG) and C Series is accessible on Westlaw in the database (EU-OJCSERIES). Both series are available in the Lexis CELEX database (ECLAW)
Preparatory and final legislation are available in the Westlaw database (EU) and in the Lexis database (ECLAW).
d. Council of the European Union
The Council’s role according to the Treaty is to make common agricultural policy by setting up market organizations. Activities of the Council include issuing Regulations, Directives and Decisions. These documents are found in:
The Official Journal
The Council’s web page contains timetables and agendas, summary of Council acts, minutes, press releases, and other information, accessible at:http://ue.eu.int/en/Info/index.htm
Press releases from Council meetings on agriculture and fisheries are available from the Council’s web site from 1996 – present:http://ue.eu.int/Newsroom/loadbook.asp?BID=100&LANG=1
e. European Commission
The Commission’s role according to the Treaty is to submit proposals to the Council and to implement the policy and market organizations made by the Council. The Commission issues Regulations, Directives and Decisions. These documents are found in:
The Official Journal
PreLex is a database that follows all Commission proposals from their transmission to the Council or Parliment, accessible at: http://europa.eu.int/prelex/apcnet.cfm?CL=en
The Commission’s web site on agriculture provides news, various publications, links to agricultural committees, statistics, and a link to an international trade relations in agriculture page, accessible at:http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/index_en.htm
Agriculture Directorate General is an organ of the Commission responsible for the implementation of the CAP. It’s website provides news and a directory of employees, accessible at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/agriculture/index_en.htm
The Commission’s general web page provides news, publications, statistics, summaries of legislation and internal Commission documents, accessible at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm
f. European Parliament
The Parliament’s role is to consult with the Council and the Commission in making common agricultural policy and setting up market organizations. Documents are available at:
The Official Journal
The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development web page contains a calendar of meetings, meeting documents, adopted reports and information on conference and hearings, accessible at:http://www.europarl.eu.int/committees/agri_home.htm
The Europarl web page provides access to internal and external documents, records of proceedings, allows you to track measures as they move through the Parliament and provides a variety of other information, accessible at: http://www.europarl.eu.int/home/default_en.htm
2. Other European Regional Trade Agreements and Associations
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) established in 1960 and currently composed of Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The Association promotes free trade and economic integration. EFTA’s web site provides news about the Association and legal texts including the text of the Convention Establishing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA or Vaduz Convention), the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) and trade agreements with third party countries. The Convention contains a number of provisions applicable to trade in agricultural products including import and export duties, tariff concessions negotiated with other countries, and the adoption of the WTO’s SPS measures. The web site is accessible at,http://secretariat.efta.int/
Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) was created in 1992 when the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Romania signed the Central Europe Free Trade Agreement. The aims of the Agreement include ensuring fair trade between member countries, removing trade barriers and balanced expansion of world trade. The Agreement covers agricultural products and other goods and services. The agreement is harmonized with the GATT and WTO agreements and calls for a reduction in customs duties and trade barriers for agricultural products. The CEFTA web site provides information about the organization, information about member countries, the text of the Agreement, minutes from past meetings and detailed trade statistics, accessible at: http://www.cefta.org/
C. Asia
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum for facilitating economic growth, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region that does not require binding treaty obligations of its 21 member nations. The Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group attempts to develop cooperation among member nations on agricultural technology issues and other matters including trade in agriculture. APEC’s web site contains news about APEC and the economy of member nations, ministerial statements, and publications, accessible at:http://www.apecsec.org.sg/ Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 by the Bangkok Declaration to promote regional economic growth and today has 10 member countries. ASEAN’s website provides the basic documents of the organization, statistics, information on summit meetings and publications, accessible at:http://www.aseansec.org/home.htm. The Bankok Declaration calls for ASEAN member nations to cooperate in expanding trade in agriculture. This mandate has been broadened over the years and most recently the Strategic Plan of Action on Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry was announced with a focus on enhancing the international competitiveness of ASEAN agricultural products. The Food, Agriculture and Forestry Ministry’s web site contains press releases, a summary of the ministry’s organization and structure, status reports, agreements, publications and other documents, accessible at: http://www.aseansec.org/4921.htm
D. Africa
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was created by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Treaty in 1994 by 21 member states in pursuit of a free trade area, removal of internal trade barriers, a common external tariff, trade liberalization, and customs co-operation. The Treaty outlines specific undertakings in the field of agriculture and specifically emphasizes cooperation in various areas including co-operation in agricultural exports. COMESA is attempting to increase agricultural trade by making trade in agricultural products more transparent and competitive. Twenty COMESA member states are members of the WTO. The COMESA web site contains background information about the organization, the text of the COMESA Treaty, documents, publications, tables of
agricultural statistics, judgments of the COMESA Court of Justice and a report on the harmonization of agricultural policy for COMESA countries, accessible at:http://www.comesa.int/
Southern African Development Community (SADC) was formed by the Declaration and Treaty of the Southern African Development Community, signed by 14 member states in 1992. The liberalization and promotion of agricultural trade is one goal of the SADC. The Protocol on Trade calls for trade liberalization, the elimination of trade barriers and of import and export duties, harmonization with the trading practices of the WTO and SPS measures. One of the main functions of the Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources is to promote trade in agriculture. SADC’s website contains news, general information about SADC, legal texts and documents including treaties, protocols and agreements, accessible at: http://www.sadc.int/index.php?lang=english&path=&page=index
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen countries formed in 1975 to promote integration in agriculture and other fields. The goals of the organization are to suppress customs duties and barriers, to establish a common external tariff, to harmonize economic and financial policies and to create a monetary zone. The ECWAS web site provides information about the institution, member states, conferences, press releases, publications and trade opportunities, accessible at: http://www.ecowas.int/
For other regional and national organizations related to international trade in agricultural products consult the topics: TRADE, AGRIBUSINESS, AGRICULTURAL LAW and AGRICULTURE in the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ASSOCIATIONS: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. Detroit: Gale Research, 1989- .
IV. UNITED STATES TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
United States law that impacts trade in agricultural products is found in international agreements the U.S. enters into, in U.S. statutory and administrative law and in the decisions of U.S. Courts.
A. International Trade Agreements
The United States is a party to many international trade agreements related to agriculture. The most notable are the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, the NAFTA Agreement, and the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. For a general introduction to researching international agreements the United States is a party to see:
Hoffman, Marci, Researching U.S. Treaties and Agreements, accessible at:http://www.llrx.com/features/ustreaty.htm#international
When researching international agreements the United States is a party to it is useful to understand how the United States enters into treaties. Some useful resources include:
Dalton, Robert, E., National Treaty Law and Practice: United States. Retrieved from:http://www.asil.org/dalton.pdf#pagemode=bookmarks
Surrency, Erwin C. How the United States Perfects an International Agreement, 85 LAW LIBRARY JOURNAL 343 (1993).
Treaties and Other International Agreements: The Role of the United States Senate, accessible at:http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_cong_senate_print&docid=f:66922.pdf
State Department Trade Glossary: http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/trade/
1. Sources of the Text of International Agreements
United States treaties appear first in slip form in TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES (TIAS) and then are cumulated into UNITED STATES TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS (UST) (1950 - ) TIAS is currently 5-6 years behind and UST is 12 years behind.
HEIN’S UNITED STATES TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS provides a more up to date source of treaties.
Consult the Lexis database (USTRTY) and the Westlaw database (USTREATIES).
2. Indexes and Finding Aids
Kavass, Igor I. ed. US TREATY INDEX. Buffalo, NY: W.S. Hein Co., 1991-. A comprehensive index of all documented treaties and international agreements from 1776 to present. The set provides access chronologically by country and by subject. To find treaties related to agricultural trade consult the topics: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, TRADE AND COMMERCE, and under the names of international organizations. US TREATY INDEX is updated semi-annually by CURRENT TREATY INDEX.
Kavass, Igor I., and Adolph Sprudzs, eds. A GUIDE TO THE UNITED STATES TREATIES IN FORCE. Buffalo: W.S. Hein Co., 1982 -. This three volume annual publication tells the researcher: what international agreements the US has with a particular country or on a particular subject matter; if a particular agreement is in force; where can the text can be found; and, what other countries are parties. Volume one is devoted to numerical lists for bilateral and multilateral treaties; volume two lists treaties by country and subject; and, volume three is a chronological index and directory. To determine what treaties the United States has with a particular country consult “treaties listed by country” in volume two. To search for treaties by subject consult the following headings in volume two: AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES, AGRICULTURE, CUSTOMS, TRADE, TRADE AND COMMERCE and under the names of international organizations. If you do not have access to this publication use the official United States government publication TREATIES IN FORCE also accessible online at:http://www.state.gov/s/l/c8455.htm
The United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service’s web page “Trade Agreements” lists agreements the United States has with other individual countries and provides information about ongoing and proposed negotiations. Multilateral agreements are not included. Accessible at:http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/agreements.html
The United States Department of State’s web site “Trade Topics” provides information about negotiations currently under way in the area of agriculture, accessible at:http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/econ/wto/wtotrade.htm#agriculture
B. Domestic Legislation
An excellent place to begin researching federal statues regulating U.S. agricultural trade is the Compilation of Agriculture Law created by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The topic “Agricultural Trade Laws” organizes all federal statues relevant to trade in agriculture under 9 broad topics. Accessible at: http://agriculture.senate.gov/Legislation/Compilations/compilations_entry.html
Consult Title 7 “Agriculture” of the United States Code, available in print, from Cornell’s Legal Information Institute, accessible at: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/7/, in the Westlaw databases (USC) or (USCA) and in the Lexis databases (USC) or (USCS).
The National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information provides a variety of information from its website including the text, history and analysis of past and present Farm Bills, congressional resources related to agriculture, and information on specific agricultural laws in subject specific reading rooms, accessible at:http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/
C. Administrative Agencies
Agencies involved with trade in agricultural products include the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and Customs Service, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, the Census Bureau, the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) Agriculture Sector and the United States International Trade Commission. The activities of these agencies include the administration of reporting requirements and export restrictions on trade in certain agricultural products or with certain countries, entities or persons known as Specially Designated Nationals (SDN).23
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the USDA works to open up new markets to U.S. agricultural producers, coordinates trade policy and trade negotiations, collects and analyzes trade data and administers aid programs. FAS’s web site contains a multitude of useful information including: pages for importers and exporters, an explanation of U.S. agricultural trade law and policy, links to multilateral and bilateral agricultural trade agreements, reports and information about specific countries and markets, news and statistical information, accessible at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/
The United States Trade Representative is a cabinet level administrative agency responsible for formulating trade policy and negotiating trade agreements. The web site of USTR’s Agriculture Sector contains the text of the Annual Report on agriculture, documents and proposals discussing trade policy and reform, press releases and updates on world wide dispute settlement decisions involving U.S. trade in agriculture, accessible at:http://www.ustr.gov/sectors/agriculture.shtml
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department administers sanctions programs and publishes the list of Specially Designated Nationals with whom trading is prohibited or restricted. The agency publishes regulations and the SDN list in Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Additional information including the SDN list, blocked persons list, regulations, legal documents and other information is available from the OFAC’s web site, accessible at: http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/
The Bureau of Industry and Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce also administers sanctions programs and Export Administration Regulations, known as “EARs”. EARs are found in the Code of Federal Regulations at Title 15 Parts 700 to 799. Policies and regulations, licensing, EAR’s, news and other information is accessible from the Bureau’s web site at: http://www.bxa.doc.gov.
The U.S. Customs Service enforces regulations made by other U.S. government agencies at the point of export. Their web site is accessible at: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/
The Census Bureau administers reporting requirements and collects statistical data on all agricultural exports. Information is collected on the form “Shippers Export Declaration” or filed electronically though the Automated Export System. Reporting requirements are published in Title 15 Part 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Information about reporting requirements is accessible at: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/index.html
The International Trade Commission administers trade laws, provides independent analysis to the executive and congressional branches of government and maintains the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The HTS classifies goods imported into the U.S. and states the applicable tariff rate. Information, publications and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule are available from the Commission’s web site, accessible at: http://www.usitc.gov/
1. Sources of Regulations
Administrative regulations appear first in the Federal Register, accessible from GPO Access at:http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html; from the Hein-Online database; from the Westlaw database (FR); and, from the Lexis database (FEDREG).
The National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information’s Federal Register Digest project contains a brief summary of significant agricultural regulations appearing from 2002 – present organized by agency. Click on the name of the agencies identified infra for regulations relevant to trade in agriculture. Accessible at:http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/reporter/registerdigest/
BNA’s INTERNATIONAL TRADE REPORTER, Washington D.C.: BNA, 1984 - , provides current information about policies, regulations and decisions of administrative agencies related to international trade in a bi-weekly format. Consult the topics index heading “Agriculture” for regulations and decisions relevant to trade in agricultural products.
Final rules and regulations related to agriculture are codified in Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations and other Titles identified infra. The Code of Federal Regulations is accessible online at:http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html and from the Westlaw and Lexis databases (CFR).
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D. Administrative and Judicial Decisions
The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury hears requests or release of blocked funds and arguments that individuals or entities were improperly placed on the SDN list or
otherwise improperly sanctioned. The OFAC may also initiate civil penalty proceedings or administrative proceedings before an administrative law judge for violations of various regulations and statutes the OFAC is charged with enforcing.24 OFAC’s web site “Civil Penalties Information” contains enforcement guidelines and releases regarding enforcement actions, accessible at: http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/civpen/index.html
The Bureau of Industry and Security within the Department of Commerce may impose civil or criminal penalties for violations of the EARs and other regulations. A party charged with a violation in a case where criminal or civil penalty may be imposed is entitled to a hearing before administrative law judge. Decisions may be appealed to the Under Secretary for Export Administration and then to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.25 The Electronic Reading Room of the Bureau of Industry and Security provides access to documents and transcripts from administrative proceedings, accessible at: http://efoia.bis.doc.gov/
The USDA administers a variety of statutes that require the availability administrative hearings. Several of the statutes are relevant to trade in agriculture because they regulate inspection and quarantine of agricultural products. The first hearing is conducted by the Office of Administrative Law Judges. Administrative Law Judge’s decisions may be appealed to the Office of Judicial Officer and then to United States District Court. USDA Administrative Law Judges and Judicial Officer decisions are available from:
AGRICULTURE DECISIONS. Washington D.C.: GPO, 1942 - . This official publication of the Secretary of Agriculture contains decisions of the Administrative Law Judges, Judicial Officer and select District Court opinions along with a subject matter index.
In the Westlaw database (USDA)
Administrative Law Judges decisions from 2000 – present are available at the ALJ’s web site, accessible at:http://www.usda.gov/da/oaljdecisions/
Summaries of Judicial Officer decisions from 1971- present are available at the Judicial Officer’s web site, accessible at: http://www.usda.gov/da/ojo.htm
The National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information provides the text of major USDA decisions from 2002 – present, accessible at: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/decisions/
Customs Service Decisions are issued at the request of the parties involved and are an interpretation and application of customs regulations and laws to specific facts. Decisions are binding on all Customs Service personnel and represent the official position of the Department. Decisions are available from:
CUSTOMS BULLETIN. Washington D.C.: GPO, 1968 - , and its predecessor TREASURY DECISIONS UNDER CUSTOMS AND OTHER LAWS. Washington D.C.: GPO, 1868-1968, are the official publications of Customs Service Decisions.
Customs Ruling Online Search System (CROSS) contains over 90,000 decisions from 1989 – present, accessible at: http://rulings.customs.gov/
In the Westlaw database (FINT-CUSTB) and the Lexis database (ITRADE;CUSBUL)
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) makes determinations in investigations involving unfair practices in import trade, mainly involving allegations of infringement of U.S. patents and trademarks by imported goods. If it finds a violation of the law, the USITC may order the exclusion of the imported product from the United States. More information and dockets and complaints involving hearings are available from the USITC’s website at: http://www.usitc.gov/.
Decisions are also found in BNA’s INTERNATIONAL TRADE REPORTER and are accessible from the Westlaw database (FINT-ITC) and the Lexis database (ITRADE;ITC).
United States Court of International Trade, formerly known as the U.S. Customs Court (1926-1979) and the Board of U.S. General Appraisers (1890-1926), hears international trade disputes arising out of U.S. law against the United States and its officers and agencies. The Court's web site provides rules and forms, information about the court and the judges, and slip opinions from 1999 to present, accessible at: http://www.cit.uscourts.gov/. Decisions are also found in:
UNITED STATES COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE REPORTS. Washington D.C: GPO, 1983 – .
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS COURT REPORTS. Washington D.C: GPO, 1938-81.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE REPORTER. Washington D.C.: BNA, 1984 - .
Court of International Trade and Customs Court Reports are available from the Westlaw Database (FINT-CIT) and the Lexis database (GENFED;NEWER).
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC). Created in 1982, this federal appellate court’s jurisdiction includes customs and international trade law appeals from the U.S. Court of International Trade and appeals of unfair competition cases from the U.S. International Trade Commission. Predecessor courts include the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (1929-1982), Court of Customs Appeals (1909-1929), and the Court of Claims (1855-1982). Opinions, decisions, court rules and a list of pending cases are available at the Court’s web site, accessible at: http://www.fedcir.gov/index.html. Decisions are also found in:
CASES DECIDED IN UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT: TRADE CASES ADJUDGED IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT. Washington D.C.: GPO, 1982 - .
FEDERAL REPORTER. St. Paul, MN: West, 1880 - .
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS COURT REPORTS. Washington D.C.: GPO, 1938-81.
CASES DECIDED IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF CLAIMS. Washington D.C.: GPO, 1863-1984.
In the Westlaw database (CTAF) and the Lexis database (CAFC)
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V. TRADE LAWS OF OTHER COUNTRIES
The domestic laws of other countries are relevant because they establish restrictions on the importation of agricultural products in the form of tariffs and other trade barriers.
A. Sources of Foreign Agricultural Trade Laws
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Legal Office maintains a full text database of national laws and regulations on food and agriculture, accessible at: http://faolex.fao.org/faolex/index.htm
The USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service provides a wealth of information on the laws and regulations of other countries at its web site. Information includes:
The Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FARIS) database which provides information on the technical requirements (food laws, labeling and import procedures) imposed by foreign countries for the importation of agricultural products, accessible at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/ofsts/fairs_by_country.asp;
The Library of Export Requirements provides importing country’s requirements for meat and poultry products including: product eligibility, labeling and processing requirements and documentation, accessible at:http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/explib.htm.
Market research resources describing the general agricultural business climate of countries are accessible from the FAS page on export assistance, accessible at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/agexport/markresea.html The U.S. Trade Representative’s annual report “National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers” lists trade barriers by country and is accessible at: http://www.ustr.gov/reports/index.shtml
Country Commercial Guides are prepared by the U.S. Embassy Staff in each country. The guides describe the economic and political climate of countries worldwide including information on trade regulations, accessible at:http://www.export.gov/mrllogin.html
B. Tariff Databases
The Harmonized System of Tariff Nomenclature is used by 178 countries and customs unions. It is administered by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The WCO’s web page provides links to the tariff schedules of countries worldwide, accessible at: http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/index.html
Agricultural Market Access Database (AMAD) is a joint effort among several intergovernmental organizations to create a database of tariff schedules from countries around the world. Fifty countries are currently included in the database, accessible at: http://www.amad.org/ Free Trade Area of the Americas Tariff Database, accessible at: http://www.ftaa-alca.org/NGROUPS/NGMADB_E.asp
C. General Resources for Finding Foreign Laws
REYNOLDS, THOMAS H., AND ARTURO A. FLORES. FOREIGN LAW: CURRENT SOURCES OF CODES AND BASIC LEGISLATION IN JURISDICTIONS OF THE WORLD. Littleton, CO: Fred B. Rothman, 1989 - . This work provides basic information about the legal systems of over 150 countries including citations to enactments by subject for each jurisdiction. Generally there are not entries under the subject AGRICULTURE but relevant laws may be located under the subjects: CUSTOMS TARIFFS, FOREIGN TRADE and NATURAL RESOURCES.
REDEEN, KENNETH ROBERT, ED. MODERN LEGAL SYSTEMS CYCLOPEDIA. Buffalo, NY: Hein, 1984 - . This work briefly summarizes the legal systems of countries.
MARTINDALE HUBBLE INTERNATIONAL LAW DIGEST. New Providence, NJ: LexisNexis, 1991 - . Contains short summaries of the legal systems of countries.
Sahl, Silke. A Selective List of Guides to Foreign Legal Research. The Diamond Law Library at Columbia Law School, 2003. Accessible at: http://library.law.columbia.edu/foreignguide.html
LLRX Research Center – Foreign and Comparative Law contains research guides to the legal systems of over 50 countries world wide, accessible at:http://www.llrx.com/comparative_and_foreign_law.html Library of Congress Guide to Law Online – Nations of the World. If a foreign jurisdiction provides online access to its laws this site will have them, accessible at: http://www.loc.gov/law/guide/nations.html
VI. BIBLIOGRAPHIES OF BOOKS AND ARTICLES
Kelley, Sally J. Agricultural Law: A Selected Bibliography. 1985- . This publication of the National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information contains citations to books and articles. See the topic “international trade” for relevant materials, accessible at: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/research/bibliographies/
Kershen, Drew L. Agricultural Law Bibliography. American Agricultural Law Association, 2001. Professor Kershen teaches Agriculture Law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. His bibliography provides citations to books, reports and articles organized around 48 categories. Category 26 contains materials dealing with international trade. Coverage begins in the mid-1980’s. Accessible at: http://www.aglaw-assn.org/biblio/findarticle.html
Search the following indexes for citations to books and articles:
CURRENT LAW INDEX. Farmington Hills, MI: The Gale Group, 1980 - . Search under the subject headings: AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE LAW, COMMERCIAL TREATIES, CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION, EXPORT CONTROLS, FREE TRADE, IMPORT QUOTAS, INTERNATIONAL TRADE, RESTRAINT OF TRADE, RULES OF ORIGIN, TARIFFS, and the names of international organizations.
INDEX TO FOREIGN LEGAL PERIODICALS. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1960 - . Search under the subject headings: AGRICULTURE, INTERNATIONAL TRADE, EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, CUSTOMS AND TARIFFS, and the names of international organizations and agreements.
INDEX TO LEGAL PERIODICALS AND BOOKS. New York: HW Wilson, 1908 - . Search under the subject headings: AGRICULTURE, CUSTOMS LAWS, EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, INTERNATIONAL SALES, INTERNATIONAL TRADE, MOST-FAVORED-NATION CLAUSE, PROTECTIONISM, SUBSIDIES, UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES, and the names of international organizations and agreements.
Search the LegalTrac database under the subject AGRICULTURE and subdivision INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
Search WilsonWeb Index to Legal Periodicals under the subjects INTERNATIONAL TRADE, TARIFF AND CUSTOMS LAWS and AGRICULTURE.
Search in the Westlaw databases (TP-ALL) and (INT-TP) and the Lexis databases (LAWREV) and (INTLR).
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VII. RESEARCH GUIDES AND LINKS
AgricultureLaw.com is a commercial site that provides news and information on domestic and international issues, links to laws and regulations, an agriculture dictionary and list of acronyms, accessible at:http://www.agriculturelaw.com/links2/dictionary2.htm
Export.gov is the U.S. government portal of trade resources, accessible at: http://www.export.gov/
Hieros Gammos’ page of agriculture law links focuses on international aspects of agricultural law and trade, accessible at: http://www.hg.org/agri.html
Hoffman, Marci, Revised Guide to International Trade Law Sources on the Internet. This guide provides a general introduction to international trade law, accessible at: http://www.llrx.com/features/trade3.htm
Wegner, Jean M. International Trade Law, is another general guide to international trade law, accessible at:http://www.asil.org/resource/iel1.htm#III.%20INTERNATIONAL%20TRADE%20LAW
The National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information has several useful guides addressing agriculture law in general and aspects of trade in agricultural products including the International Trade Law Research Guide, Westlaw Databases Useful in Agricultural Law Research Guide, and Agricultural Law Research Guide by Sally J. Kelley, Research Professor and Center Librarian, available in print at the Center. The Center’s web page “Reference Desk” contains many useful links including several on-line glossaries of agricultural trade terms, accessible at: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/reference/
The United States National Agricultural Library web site contains a variety of resources including: an agriculture thesaurus; Agricultural on-line access (AGRICOLA) the library’s catalog and journal index; the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC) a guide to internet information selected by a group of libraries and institutions; and many other resources, accessible at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/
WAICENT is a world agriculture information portal designed by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. The subject Trade and Agribusiness contains links relevant to international trade in agricultural products, accessible at: http://www.fao.org/waicent/index_en.asp
VIII. STATISTICS
The USDA provides a variety of statistical information useful for conducting research in international agricultural trade including:
The Economic Research Service (ERS) is the main source of USDA data and research. The ERS’s web site contains the following pages relevant to trade including: “key topic: trade” with summaries of U.S. trade in agriculture data; “briefing rooms” containing detailed discussions and synthesis of data relevant to trade issues; and, the page Foreign Agricultural Trade of the United States (FATUS) which aggregates agricultural import and export data collected by the Customs Service. The ERS’s web site is accessible at:http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/FATUS/
The Office of Chief Economist maintains the World Agricultural Outlook Board which provides statistics at its web site, accessible at: http://www.usda.gov/agency/oce/waob/index.htm. The Economics and Statistics System contains over 300 datasets covering domestic and international agriculture, accessible at: http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/.
Agricultural statistics are available from the European Commission’s web site, accessible at:http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/agrista/index_en.htm
The National Agricultural Library’s AgNIC internet gateway topic “International Statistics “provides links to a number of useful statistical sources, accessible at: http://agecon.lib.umn.edu/AgNIC/statIntl.html
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) maintains its own statistical database containing over one million records. Select Agriculture for relevant statistics, accessible at: http://apps.fao.org/default.htm. FAO’s web site also provides access to a statistical portal, accessible at:http://www.fao.org/waicent/portal/statistics_en.asp
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Footnotes
1 Head of Reference Services, Oklahoma City University Law Library. B.A. 1997, J.D. 2000, M.L.I.S. 2002, University of Oklahoma. The author would like to thank Sally J. Kelley, Research Professor and Center Librarian at the National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information at the University of Arkansas School of Law and Wayne Olson, Librarian at the National Agricultural Library, for reviewing drafts of this research guide.2 WTO International Trade Statistics, World Merchandise Exports by Product, 2002, athttp://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/its2003_e/section4_e/iv01.xls3 Clayton Yeutter, Bringing Agriculture into the Multilateral Trading System, in J. Bhagwati and M. Hirsch eds. THE URUGUAY ROUND AND BEYOND: ESSAYS IN HONOR OF ARTHUR DUNKEL (Germany: Springer Verlag, 1998) as quoted in Melaku Geboye Desta, THE LAW OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS: FROM GATT TO THE WTO AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE 8 (The Hague, NL: Kluwer Law International, 2003).
4 Lindsey Brink, The Miami Fizzle: What Else But Cancún Redux, WALL ST. J., November 28, 2003, A9.5 The GATT Years: From Havana to Marrakech, athttp://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/fact4_e.htm 6 Agriculture: Fairer Markets for Farmers, at http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/agrm3_e.htm 7 Kevin C. Kennedy, International Trade in Agriculture: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, And Where We’re Headed, 10 DCL J. INT’L L. 1, 2-3 (2001).8 Id at 3.9 Standards and Safety, at http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/agrm4_e.htm and Multilateral Trade Negotiations on Agriculture: A Resource Manual, Part IV 3-4, (Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2000), at http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/X7351E/X7351E00.HTM 10 Agriculture: Fairer Markets for Farmers, supra note 2. 11 Elizabeth Becker, Delegates From Poorer Nations Walk Out of World Trade Talks, N.Y. TIMES, September 15, 2003, at A1.12 Juan M. Mesa, Legal and Documentary Research at WTO: The New Documents On-Line Database, 4 JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC LAW 245 (2001).13 Jeanne Rehberg, WTO/GATT Research, at: http://www.llrx.com/features/wto2.htm#IV_A 14 Ralph H. Folsom, NAFTA IN A NUTSHELL 106 (St. Paul, MN: West, 1999). 15 Ralph H. Folsom and W. Davis Folsom, UNDERSTANDING NAFTA AND ITS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS 242 (Matthew Bender, 1996).16 Folsom, supra note 14, 106-116.17 Treaty Establishing the European Economic Community, March 25, 1957, 298 U.N.T.S. 3, 4 Eur. Y.B. 412. Also known as the Treaty of Rome. In 1993 the Maastricht Treaty renamed it the Treaty Establishing the European Community.18 Common Organization of the Agricultural Markets: Introduction, athttp://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l11047.htm19 Id.20 Agriculture: Introduction, at: http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l04000.htm21 EU Agriculture and the WTO, at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/external/wto/backgrou/cancun_en.pdf22 Marylin J. Raisch, European Union: Basic Legal Sources, in ACCIDENTAL TOURIST ON THE NEW FRONTIER: AN INTRODUCTORY GUIDE TO GLOBAL LEGAL RESEARCH 194 – 201 (Jeanne Rehberg and Radu D. Popa, eds., Littleton, CO: Rothman, 1998).23 Global Marketplace: Agricultural Products Legal Aspects, at:http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/lib/agriculture/pdfdocs/legal_handbook.pdf 24 37 FED PROC, L ED Foreign Assets Control Proceedings § 1088-1111 (2000).25 37 FED PROC, L ED Administrative Sanctions § 1012-1083 (2000).
………………………………………………………………..
FARM PRODUCE PRICE POLICY
The main objectives of the Government's price policy for agricultural produce aims at ensuring remunerative prices to the growers for their produce with a view to encouraging higher investment and production. Towards this end, minimum support prices for major agricultural products are announced each year which are fixed after taking into account the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The CACP, while recommending prices takes into account all important factors, viz:
1. Cost of Production
2. Changes in Input Prices
3. Input/Output Price Parity
4. Trends in Market Prices
5. Inter-crop Price Parity
6. Demand and Supply Situation
7. Effect on Industrial Cost Structure
8. Effect on General Price Level
9. Effect on Cost of Living
10. International Market Price Situation
11. Parity between Prices Paid and Prices Received by farmers (Terms of Trade).
Of all the factors, cost of production is the most tangible factor and it takes into account all operational and fixed demands. Government organizes Price Support Scheme (PSS) of the commodities, through various public and cooperative agencies such as FCI, CCI, JCI, NAFED, Tobacco Board, etc., for which the MSPs are fixed. For commodities not covered under PSS, Government also arranges for market intervention on specific request from the States for specific quantity at a mutually agreed price. The losses, if any, are borne by the Centre and State on 50:50 basis. The price policy paid rich dividends. The Government have raised substantially the MSPs in recent years as may be seen from the statement enclosed.
Minimum Support Prices (As On 26-Aug-2005) [According To Crop Year]
Procurement / Minimum Support / Statutory Minimum Prices
Fixed By The Government For Agricultural Commodities
in Absolute term (As On 12.2.2001)
Procurement/Minimum Support / Statutory Minimum Prices
Fixed By The Government For Agricultural Commodities
in terms of Percentage (As On 12.2.2001)
Minimum Support Prices (As on 01.05.2003)
In term of 'Increase in Latest Price over Previous Year'
Wholesale Prices of Commercial Crops
Wholesale Prices of Non Commercial Crops
Daily/ Weekly/ Monthly Reports on Wholesale and Retail Prices
Farm Harvest Prices of Principle Crops in India
Farm Harvest Prices of Principal Crops in INDIA. State -Wise
Farm Harvest Prices of Principal Crops in India State- District-Wise :
-Andhra Pradesh--Manipur
--Assam --Mizoram
--Bihar --Panjab
--Goa --Rajasthan
--Gujarat --Sikkim
--Haryana --Orissa
--Himachal Pradesh --Tamilnadu
--Jammu & Kashmir --Tripura
--Karnataka --Uttar Pradesh
--Kerala --West Bengal
--Madhya Pradesh --Delhi
--Maharashtra
Farm Harvest Prices of Principal Crops in India Union Territory-Wise:
Fixed By The Government For Agricultural Commodities In terms of Percentage (As On 12.2.2001)
(According to crop year) (Rs. per quintal)
CROP1989-90 1990-
91 1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-
2000
2000-01
Paddy
185.00
(15.6)
205.00
(10.8)
230.00
(12.2) 270 (17.4) 310(14.8)
340(9.7)
360(5.9)
380(5.6)
415(9.2)
440(6.0)
490(11.4)
510 (4.1)
Jowar165.0
0(13.8)
180.00
(9.1)
205.00
(13.9) 240 (17.1) 260 (8.3) 280(7.7)
300(7.1)
310(3.3)
360(16.1)
390(8.3)
415(6.4)
445 (7.2)
Bajra165.0
0(13.8)
180.00
(9.1)
205.00
(13.9) 240 (17.1) 260 (8.3) 280(7.7)
300(7.1)
310(3.3)
360(16.1)
390(8.3)
415(6.4)
445 (7.2)
Maize165.0
0(13.8)
180.00
(9.1)
210.00
(16.7) 245 (16.7) 265 (8.2) 290(9.4)
310(6.9)
320(3.2)
360(12.5)
390(8.3)
415(6.4)
445 (7.2)
Ragi165.0
0(13.8)
180.00
(9.1)
205.00
(13.9) 240 (17.1) 260 (8.3) 280(7.7)
300(7.1)
310(3.3)
360(16.1)
390(8.3)
415(6.4)
445 (7.2)
Wheat215.0
0(17.5)
225.00
(4.7)
275.00
@(22.2)
330@(20.0)
350 (6.1) 360(2.9)
380(5.6)
475X
(25.0)
510Y (7.4)
(7.4)
550(7.8)
580(5.5)
Barley180.0
0(24.1)
200.00
(11.1)
210.00
(5.0) 260 (23.8) 275 (5.8) 285(3.6)
295(3.5)
305(3.4)
350(14.8)
385(10.0)
430(11.7)
Tur(Arhar)425.0
0(18.1)
480.00
(12.9)
545.00
(13.5) 640 (17.4) 700 (9.4) 760(8.6)
800(5.3)
840(5.0)
900(7.1)
960(6.7)
1105(15.1)
1200 (8.6)
Moong425.0
0(18.1)
480.00
(12.9)
545.00
(13.5) 640 (17.4) 700 (9.4) 760(8.6)
800(5.3)
840(5.0)
900(7.1)
960(6.7)
1105(15.1)
1200 (8.6)
Urad425.0
0(18.1)
480.00
(12.9)
545.00
(13.5) 640 (17.4) 700 (9.4) 760(8.6)
800(5.3)
840(5.0)
900(7.1)
960(6.7)
1105(15.1)
1200 (8.6)
Gram421.0
0(29.5)
450.00
(6.9)
500.00
(11.1) 600 (20.0) 640 (6.7) 670(4.7)
700(4.5)
740(5.7)
815(10.1)
895(9.8)
1015(13.4)
Groundnut- 500.0 (16.3 580.0 (16. 645.0 (11.2) 750 (16.3) 800 (6.7) 860 (7.5 900 (4.7 920 (2.2 980 (6.5 1040 (6.1 1155 (11. 1220 (5.6
in- shell 0 ) 0 0) 0 ) ) ) ) ) 1) )Soyabean Black
325.00
(18.2)
350.00
(7.7)
395.00
(12.9) 475 (20.3) 525(10.5)
570(8.6)
600(5.3)
620(3.3)
670(8.1)
705(5.2)
755(7.1)
775 (2.6)
SoyabeanYellow
370.00
(15.6)
400.00
(8.1)
445.00
(11.3) 525 (18.0) 580(10.5)
650(12.1)
680(4.6)
700(2.9)
750(7.1)
795(6.0)
845(6.3)
865 (2.4)
Sunflower seed
530.00
(17.8)
600.00
(13.2)
670.00
(11.7) 800 (19.4) 850 (6.3) 900(5.9)
950(5.6)
960(1.1)
1000
(4.2)
1060(6.0)
1155(9.0)
1170 (1.3)
Rape & Mustard
575.00
(25.0)
600.00
(4.3)
670.00
(11.7) 760 (13.4) 810 (6.6) 830(2.5)
860(3.6)
890(3.5)
940(5.6)
1000(6.4)
1100(10.0)
Toria545.0
0(26.7)
570.00
(4.6)
645.00
(13.2) 725 (12.4) 780 (7.6) 800(2.6)
825(3.1)
855(3.6)
905(5.8)
965(6.6)
1065(10.4)
Safflower550.0
0(25.0)
575.00
(4.5)
640.00
(11.3) 720 (12.5) 760 (5.6) 780(2.6)
800(2.6)
830(3.8)
910(9.6)
990(8.8)
1100(11.1)
Cotton570.0
0(14.0)
620.00
(8.8)
695.00
(12.1) 800 (15.1) 900(12.5)
1000
(11.1)
1150
(15.0)
1180
(2.6)
1330
(12.7)
1440XX
(8.3)
1575xx
(9.4)
1625xx
(3.2)
690.00
(15.0)
750.00
(8.7)
840.00
(12.0) 950 (13.1)105
0(10.5)
1200
(14.3)
1350
(12.5)
1380
(2.2)
1530
(10.9)
1650(7.8)
1775(7.6)
1825 (2.8)
Jute295.0
0T(18.0)
320.00
T(8.5)
375.00
T(17.2)
400T(6.7)
450T(12.5)
470T(4.4)
490T(4.3)
510 T
(4.1)
570(11.8)
650(14.0)
750(15.4)
785 (4.7)
Sugarcane #
22.00(12.8)
23.00(4.5)
26.00 (13.0)31.00
(19.2)34.50
(11.3)
39.10
(13.3)
42.50
(8.7)
45.90
(8.0)
48.45
(5.6)
52.70(8.8)
56.10
(6.5)
Tobacco(VFC) Black Soil
12.50 (6.4) 13.25(6.0)
14.75 (11.3)16.00
(8.5)18.00
(12.5)
18.50
(2.8)
19.00
(2.7)
19.00
(-)20.50
(7.9)
22.50(9.8)
25.00
(11.1)
26.00
(4.0)
Light Soil (Rs.per kg.)
13.50 (5.5) 14.25(5.6)
16.00 (12.3)17.50
(9.4)20.00
(14.3)
21.00
(5.0)
21.50
(2.4)
22.00
(2.3)
23.50
(6.8)
25.50(8.5)
27.00
(5.9)
28.00
(3.7)
Copra Milling
1500.00 1600.
00(6.7)
1700.00
(6.3) N.A.215
0 2350
(9.3)
2500
(6.4)
2500
(st)270
0(8.0)
2900(7.4)
3100(6.9)
3250 (4.8)
(For Calender Year) Ball
1850.00 N.A.
2350 257
5(9.6)
2725
(5.8)
2725
(st)292
5(7.3)
3125(6.8)
3325(6.4)
3500(5.3)
Sesamum 850 - 870(2.4)
950(9.2)
1060(11.6)
1205(13.7)
1300 (7.9)
Niger Seed 700 - 720(2.9)
800(11.1)
850(6.3)
915(7.6)
1025 (12.0)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - # For a basic recovery of 8.5% with a proportionate premium of every 0.1% increase above that level.
T - TD-5 in Nowgong Assam.
N.A. - Not Announced.
St- Steady.
@ Including a Central Bonus of Rs. 25.00 per quintal.
X Including a Central Bouns of Rs. 60.00 per quintal payable on wheat offered for sale to the
procurement agencies for central pool upto 30.6.97.
XX - For J-34 variety also.
Y - Including a central Bonus of Rs. 55 per quintal payable on wheat offered for sale to the
procurement agencies for central pool up to 30.6.98.
Note:- 1) FIGURES IN BRACKETS ARE THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN PROCUREMENT/MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICES OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
2) FROM 1991-92 FIGURES RELATE TO MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICES.
Agricultural Research and Education
The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture provides government support, service and linkage to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and is
responsible for coordinating research and educational activities in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries. Also, it helps to bring about interdepartmental and inter-institutional collaboration with national and international agencies engaged in agriculture and allied sectors.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an apex national organization for conducting and coordinating research and education in agriculture including animal husbandry and fisheries. The Council undertakes research on fundamental and applied aspects in traditional and frontier areas to offer solutions to problems related to conservation and management of resources, productivity improvement of crops, animals and fisheries. It plays a pivotal role in developing new technologies in agriculture and allied sectors and performs the functions of introduction and disseminating it to the end users through its wide network Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Agricultural Research
The Council has its headquarters at New Delhi and a vast network of institutes all over the country consisting of 49 institutes including 4 national institutes with Deemed to be University status; 6 national Bureau; 17 national Research Centres; 25 Project Directorates; and 61 All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) and 17 network projects. For higher education in agriculture and allied fields there are 45 State Agricultural Universities and one Central Agricultural University at Imphal besides 4 Deemed to be Universities. The SAUs are provided and developmental grants and the 61 CAUs and Deemed Universities are fully funded by the department.
Research, Education and Extension Activities of the ICAR
The activity spectrum and the highlight of research, education and extension in different fields for 2008-2009 are submitted below:
Crop Sciences
During the year, 33 explorations were undertaken and 2,203 accessions including 784 of wild species were collected. In the National Herbarium of Cultivated Plants, 371 harbarium specimens, 121 seed samples and 21 economic products were added. A total of 25,456 diverse crop accessions were introduced from various countries, and 15,000 accessions, including germplasm from the ICRISAT, were exported to 19 countries. About 13,850 accessions of orthodox and species were added to the National Genebank.
Five varieties of wheat, three of barley and one of triticale have been released. Sixteen wheat genetic stocks showing resistance to different wheat diseases have been registered. Nine hybrids/composites of Maize were released by the Central Variety Release Committee for different agro-climatic regions of the country.
Two varieties of sorghum, viz., CSV 23 a dual purpose Kharif variety and SPV 1626 a rabi variety has been developed. Two finger millet and one little millet variety were released. Short duration Finger millet variety, GPU 48, suitable for cash cropping and season cultivation released for Karnataka, 219 q breeder seed of 47 released varieties/inbred lines were produced.
Pigeonpea varieties viz., Azad (NEPZ), JKM 189 (CZ), LRG 30 and LRG 38 (SZ) were found suitable for delayed planting. Two high yielding varieties, one each of Lentil, Angoori (IPL 406) and of Rajmash, Arun (IPL 98-3-1) were notified for northern states, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
DOR Bt-1, a local isolates of bacillus thuringiensis var kuskaki (H-3a, 3b, 3c) developed for management of castor semi-looper has been registered under the trade name KNOCK W.P. for commercialization with the Central Insecticides Board, Govt. of India DRSH-1, hybrid with high oil content (42-44 %) and yield of 1300-1600 kg/ha has been released the Rabi.
Summer in all sunflower growing area of India. NARI-H-15, a sunflower hybrid having the yield potential of 2200 kg/ha, 28% oil content and tolerance to aphid was released. JSF-99, a variety, moderately resistant to aphid, Alternaria leaf spot released for Madhya Pradesh. DCH-519, and Sugar Shakti, Castor hybrids have been released for all castor growing area. Three improved soyabean varieties namely PS 1347 and PRS 1 (Uttarakhand) and IS 93-60 (Madhya Pradesh) were released.
Bi-cotton variety Bikaneri Nerma and NRH 44 Bt cotton hybrid and Mustard hybrids developed. An economically viable and rapid method for compost production has been developed by Mushroom production using fungi S. thermophilum.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in cotton was successfully demonstrated in 2,360 ha area of conventional cotton and 605 ha area of Bt cotton in nine cotton growing states all over the country through twelve field centres. Plant health clinics were established at four centres in order to cater to the requirements of knowledge support and demonstration of IPM strategies to the farmers.
Pest Management Information System (PMIS), a computer based retrieval system with complete information on pests and IPM strategies along with the he source of availability of critical inputs was developed for cotton, brinjal and okra. Decision making software (pesticide Advisor) was also developed providing all information on available pesticides.
Taxonomic keys had been developed for the genera and species of Largidae, Pyrrocoridae and Cercopidae. Biosystematie studies leading to morphological characterization and differentiation of Pseudphytoseaphus from Phytosaphus, species of Cleoninae, Pyralidae genus Magaronia were initiated.
Research work at Kerala Agricultural University on stingless bees Trigonairridipermis for honey and pollination of crops resulted in development of earthen pots, bamboo splits and PVC as artificial nest material.
Agricultural Research and Education
Horticulture
Improved lines identified in Indian been (AHDB-16) bottle gourd, line AHLS-II, AHLS- 24 and AHG-13 cluster bean. Identification of PGPR strains carried out. Soft wood grafting in mahua standardized. Two cropping models recommended. Disease control using bio-control agent like Trichoderma worked out. Improvement of coconut, arecanut and cocoa, biotechnological investigations in palms and cocoa, production technology in plantation crops, integrated management of diseases and pests, production physiology in palms and cocoa carried out. Collection, characterization and evaluation of cashew germplasm, molecular characterization of germplasm using RAPD / Isozyme Markers, canopy management, high density planting trials, organic farming, soil and water conservation, development of IPM tech for management of CSRB & TMB and studies on effect of pollinators of cashew were carried out.
PGR management; development of high yielding varieties/hybrids; development of RILs for important traits in tomato, brinjal, chilli and pumpkin; development of transgenic lines in tomato using Cry 1 Ac, DREB, ZAT-12 and T-rep gene construct pyramiding; expression profiling of gene in tomato for early blight, draught and heat and development of organic farming protocols developed. Conserved 1,400 cultivated potatoes in vitro under slow growth. Hybrid MP/98-71 was released as a French fry variety, while hybrid MP/98-916 was introduced in AICPIP as chipping hybrid. 3 lines with resistance to bacterial wilt were identified. Data base for the use of INFOCROP potato model has been developed.
Technology for increasing the productivity and production of mushrooms and consumption of mushrooms and its produce are under progress. Technology for enhanced productivity of tuber crops, end-specific varietal development, reduction in per unit cost of cultivation, ensuring solid health of cassava production system are under progress. Lines identified for release at national level for kharif and late kharif and also for high TSS white onion suitable for processing. The package of fertigation for onion and garlic is being finalized. IPM module for management of thrips and diseases and INM module for enhancing productivity of existing genotypes being finalized.
High yielding varieties of ginger, turmeric, black pepper developed. New accessions are under collection with desired traits. Evaluation of coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, dill, ajwain, nigella, anise, celery for high yield, dwarfness, biotic and abiotic stress is in progress. Inter/mixed cropping of fruits with seed spices is in progress. In long pepper a new genotype (Acc.No. 2) has been identified as superior type. New Efficient method of aloin extraction from Aloe barbadensis has been developed. Five newly collected varieties of rose were added to the existing germplasm of 324 cultivars including 201 HT, 73 Floribunda, 42 Miniature and 8 climbing roses at Bhubaneswar.
In gladiolus, two hybrids each from IARI, New Delhi and MPKV, Pune; 6 new varieties in chrysanthemum from PAU Ludhiana are under multi vocational testing.
Natural Resource Management
The Natural Resource Management Division is addressing issues related to conservation, improvement and efficient utilization of natural resources to increase agricultural production in a sustainable manner. The research programmes are being carried out within the perspective of different themes, viz; Soil Inventory and Characterization, Soil Management, Nutrient Management, Water Management, Cropping/farming system, Agroforestry including Bio fuel Crops and Climate Change on agriculture.
Major achievements include standardized multi-spectral remote sensing technique for assessing and mapping soil erosion with an accuracy of over 80%. New high yielding varieties of brinjal (Swarna Abhilamb), sponge gourd (Swarna Prabha), garden pea (Swarna Mukti) cowpea (Swarna Suphala) and Indian dolichus bean (Swarna Utkrist) released for cultivation in eastern India. A salt tolerant wheat genotype (KRL 119) with resistance to rust and other diseases identified. A better acceptable thorn less variety ofvilayati babool (Prosopis juliflora) for arid ecosystem of the country developed. The pods of the plant are used for production of aromatic coffee power and biscuits.
The agri-horti system of drumstick + green gram - fennel requiring less water was more remunerative compared to tobacco crop in Vasad, Gujarat. For effective utilization of drainage waterways, technology was devised by growing crops (rice bean & millet in kharif, brassica & lentil in rabi and Panicum maximum as perennial grass) alongwith lemon on side slope. Vegetative barriers increased sorghum & soyabean yield by 20 % besides supplying about 4-5 q/ha air dry forage on arable lands of Kota, Rajasthan. Bio-engineering measure involving Contour Staggered Trenches (CST) + Beans was found highly effective in reducing run off and soil loss in new tea plantation areas of Nilgiris, Udhagamandalam.
The Guava/Prosopis and zero tilled soyabean - wheat systems proved ideal in reclaimed sodic soils of north-west India compared to rice-wheat system for sustaining soil health and productivity. Developed liquid bio-fertilizer formulations of Rhizobium, Azospirillum and P-solubilizing Bacillus megaterium with enhanced shelf life upto one year. A quality control kit for testing the biofertilizers viz, Azotobacter, Psuedomonas, Bacillus
and Rhizobium developed based on genetically marked strains. A field kit for assessing soil sodicity developed for reclamation of salt affected soils. Standardized integrated nutrient management package for pomegranate comprising 10 kg vermin compost/FYM + 50% recommended dose of fertilizer NPK per plant.
A 4 row pre-germinated paddy seeder for wet land paddy developed for NEH region. Developed a seed drill suitable for sowing of maize, pulses and oilseeds under high slopes in NEH region. A project on 'More crop and income per drop of water' in farmers participatory mode has been launched in collaboration with Ministry of Water Resources for the conservation and better utilization of rain water in rainfed areas. ICAR has established a National institute on Abiotic Stress Management in Maharashtra in order to find a holistic solution to the emerging problem of various edaphic, soil and climatic stresses (droughts, cold waves, floods, salinity, alkalinity, acidity and nutritional disorders etc.) on agriculture.
A World Congress on Conservation Agriculture was organized in Feb 2009 at New Delhi in order to address the issues of improving efficiency, equity and environment. Several farmers' training/ FLDS/ workshop organized on various thrust areas of Natural Resource Management.
Agricultural Research and Education
Agricultural Engineering
Several new Machineries and tools to improve efficiency in agriculture production has been developed like tractor operated farm yard manure spreader; the controlled traffic rotary no-till slit planter for straw laden fields; plastic mulch laying machine for raised bed; A spinning disc spraying attachment to the intercultural frame and dynapod for the optimisation of speed for operation using ergonomic principles for hand operated maize sheller. Women friendly tools and implements have been introduced in three villages and women involvement index has been worked out. Suitable tractor operated three-row weeder with reduction in human drudgery and higher coverage has also been developed.
A decorticator for jatropha seed extraction has been developed with a capacity of 100 kg/ha; Fruit-vegetable bars using papaya, pumpkin, bottle gourd, brinjal, cabbage and cauliflower; ready to eat breakfast cereal from sorghum; Banana comb cutter; Aonla pricking machine; a coriander splitter for splitting the coriander into two halves for seed purposes; fabricated blade tenderiser using surgical knives and handles; a process for making Green chilli, puree with capsicum have been developed. The dehulling of guar was optimized and a low cost hand operated aloe vera juice extractor has been developed.
Protein content, trypsin inhibitor and nitrogen solubility index of fourteen cultivars were evaluated. A Software namely 'Cotton Bale Manager' has been developed. Delinted dehulled cottonseed meal was taken and sieved into two fractions. Preliminary trials were conducted on softening of freshly extracted fibres. Nine different fabric substrates were made from Nylon 6 using matt, honeycomb and Mock leno
constructions. A Mobile Chiper was procured and its cost economics worked out. Cotton stalks were blended with Mulberry stalks and Bagasse in different proportions and tested. Standardized the time, temperature, chemical concentration of the retting process by which fibres of definite physico-chemical properties can be obtained.
Some resin substitutes have been developed out of jute lignin through partial degradation, which can be used in particle board making from jute stick. Two collection of rangeeni lac insect from Jammu and Rajasthan have been multiplied for evaluation for summer susceptibility under field conditions. Two potential lac insect lines (LIK 0023 and 0031) have been found promising for cultivation on Calliandra calothyrsus and Dalbergia assamica. Host plant collection was made from four states and 12 collections have been added to the field gene bank. Two new lac host species viz. Acacia tortilis and Calliandra surinamensis have been recorded. Five safer chemical insecticide i.e. Indoxacarb Spinosad, Fipronil, Alphamelthrin and Carbosulphan and two bio-pesticide i.e. Halt and Knock were found safe and effective against lac insect predator. Nine diseases of commercial lac host (Palas, Ber, Kusum and F. semialata) were identified.
Documentation of status of commercially available natural resins, gums and gum resins carried out. Documented the package of practices for storage of seedlac, shellac and bleached lac and extent of losses. 119 training camp were organized including 7412 beneficiaries on Scientific method of lac cultivation. A compression ignition engine was modified for operation with pure biogas by altering the compression ratio and ignition timings. Laboratory scale production of ethyl alcohol from rice straw has been successfully carried out. Jatropha oil was dewaxed and de-gummed using established processes and blended with high-speed diesel for the operation of a tractor.
A few family size biogas plants 2-6m3 capacity have been put up at farmers' sites for poultry droppings/poultry litters as substitute. A moving platform type fuel wood cutter has been developed. Its output is around 3 times more than the commercially available fuel wood cutter. Multi-location trials are under progress. A concentrator for solar photovoltaic panel has been developed and patent filed. Suitable system for crops sensitive to water logging has been developed by which good yields of maize and pigeon pea could be obtained. An increase of 20-40% in the yields of these crops could be achieved. Water quality of surface and ground water was assessed during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon seasons using digital elevation model and geographic information system. Different envelope materials for drains were evaluated for losses in varying operating heads. Envelope made of geo-textile fabric was found to be best suited.
Software for carrying out the design of drip and sprinkler system has been developed. Mole drainage system was evaluated in two villages of Raisen district for draining excess water. Fifty-eight training programmes were organized with the participation of 1023 officials from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Central Institute for Agriculture Engineering (CIAE) supplied a total of 1671 improved equipments all across the country. Four front line demonstrations of direct paddy seeder were carried out during the year.
Animal Sciences
Buffalo growth hormone gene was structurally characterized and differences identified in elite germ plasm and unselected groups for early germplasm selection in cattle and buffaloes. cDNA of uterine milk protein (UTMP) and genomic sequence (>4 kb) of ghrelin gene of buffalo have been cloned and characterized. Through application of integrated system approach, the annual milk productivity per cow, per labour and per acre land was sustained at 5,100, 14,450 and 8,640 kg, respectively.
Genetic improvement and conversation of indigenous Haryana and Ongole breeds of cattle in their native tract and Field Progency Testing of the "Frieswal" strain of castle were continued. Also, the indigenous breeds of sheep and goats, layer and broiler strains of poultry and crossbred strains of pigs were further improved for traits of economic importance under multi-locational AICRP/Network mode projects in collaboration with SAUs/SVUs/NGO's. Genetic evaluation and improvement of Malpura sheep and enhancing its reproductive efficiently by introducing garole inheritance improved twining and triplet percent to the tune of 38.02 and 7.44% in Garole x Malpura half bred sheep. A synthetic cross-bred cattle strain 'Vrindavani' with milk yield of 3208 kg per lactation and fat percentage of 4.1 was developed. In German Angora, British Angora, Russian Angora and A-1 cross-colonies average annual wool yields of 867, 594, 603 and 531g respectively were achieved.
A new dual-purpose coloured chicken variety with better juvenile body weight and egg production was developed for rural poultry production. This variety matured early (155 days). The egg production upto 40 and 72 weeks of age was 101 and 223 eggs, respectively. In sheep frozen-thawed semen using transcerivical artificial insemination (TCAI) techniques has been standardized. A protocol for stimulating multiple births through precise control of ovulation using exogenous hormones was also developed.
A total of 3,94,000 doses of RD 'F' strain vaccine, 48,500 doses of lapinized swine fever vaccine, 2,65,000 doses of tissue culture sheep pox vaccine, 2,340 ml of HS oil adjuvant vaccine, 840 doses of Brucella abortus strain-19 (live) vaccine, 3,700 ml of enterotoxemia vaccine, 35,000 doses of Johnin PPD, 63,000
doses of Mallein PPD, 52,000 ml of Brucella agglutination test antigen, 5,580 ml of Brucella abortus Bang Ring Antigen, 7,160 ml of Rose Bengal Plate Test antigen, 61 ml of Brucella positive serum, 9,000 ml of Salmonella Abortusequi 'H' antigen, 3,250 ml of S. pullorum plain antigen, 3,980 ml of S. pullorum coloured antigen, 72 ml of S. pullorum positive serum and 67 ml of Salmonella poly 'O' sera were produced and quality tested. A sterile and safe inactivated pentavalent vaccine against five bluetongue serotypes prevalent in the country in sheep was developed.
Agricultural Research and Education
Fisheries
In case of fresh water and marine fish species, 1200 tissue accessions and 550 DNA sequences were added to the NBFGR repository at Lucknow. Transferrin partial complementary DNAs were cloned form the liver of 5 species in 4 genera of Indian carps and phylogenetic tree of amino acid sequences of transferring cDNAs from carps was also drawn. In rohu early maturity and breeding were achieved which will help in improving pond fish productivity. Also, riverine catfish could breed in captivity.
Under the Project on mega seed production, a total of 2206.7 lakh seeds of various fishes were produced during last year. Decline in catches and shifts in the species spectrum in three stretches of river Ganga were attributable to deteriorating fish habitats. Small and economically unimportant fish species were in majority in total catch. Success has been achieved in producing shrimp P. Monodon using organic inputs and avoiding artificial chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Oil sardine, the most abundant marine fish in India, showed sign of adaptation to climate change as per the interim findings of the National Network Project on Impact, Adaptation and Vulnerability of Indian Fisheries to Climate Change. The crap and magur hatcheries were set up in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Assam and breeding, seed production and culture technologies were demonstrated. Integrated fish culture, fresh water prawn culture and composite carp farming were demonstrated in North East Region and a seed production unit for chocolate mahseer in Arunachal Pradesh was established. Besides fabrication of canoes, FRP boats and gillnets for fishing, fisherman especially fisherwomen were trained in fish smoking process.
Agricultural Education
Development Grant of ICAR has made a significant impact on the overall quality of agricultural education in the country. There is a marked reduction in the inbreeding of students. With the objective of building excellence in specific strategic areas in education and research. ACAR supported 29 Niche Areas of Excellence in different agricultural universities. Recommendations of the Fourth Deans' Committee particularly with regard to norms, standards, academic regulations and UG course curricula and syllabi have been adopted by the AUs. This has a continuing positive effect on enhancement of the quality, acceptability and relevance of education as well as employability of the graduates. Common academic regulations, course curricula and syllabi of all the post-graduate (master' and doctors) programmes in agriculture and allied sciences revised in 2008-09 for the first time making them need based and uniform. A mega-project on "Modernization of Agricultural Universities farms" has been initiated in 2008-09 to enhance the research and educational capabilities of the agricultural universities. Twenty-two agricultural universities have been accredited. Development of quantifiable parameters for accreditation and for performance rating of agricultural universities is in progress. Course delivery system has improved, and practical hands-on-training has received better attention leading to improved entrepreneurship development in students. The grant has led to do better gender equity, better classroom / laboratory facilities and student amenities. The support has resulted in knowledge and skill acquisition / updation by faculty and students and about 2000 faculty members are being trained in emerging areas every year. Computer facilities for teaching have definitely improved leading to quality teaching resources. Improvement in Central / College library out of the funds
provided under the scheme has led to better teaching and improved postgraduate research. There has been an appreciable improvement on the overall development of universities.
A new activity of providing overseas fellowships has been initiated to develop competent human resources to be trained in the best laboratories in the world and expose overseas candidates to the best of the Indian Agricultural Universities/Institutes for facilitating further co-operation with these countries and for ensuring quality research and human resources development.
Agricultural Extension
520 technologies related to Crop Production, Crop Protection and Livestock Production and Management were taken up at 2044 locations with 20,002 farm trials for its assessment and refinement in order to identify the location specificity of technology under different farming systems. Altogether 74,732 frontline demonstrations including hybrids of different crops were taken up in order to establish the production potential of improved technology on the farmers' fields. During the same period, 11.53 lakh farmers and 0.90 lakh extension personnel were trained to update their knowledge and skills on improved agricultural technologies. Various other extension programmes were also organized by the KVKs benefiting 80.69 lakh farmers and other officials. The KVKs produced 2.02 lakh quintal of seeds and 133.20 lakh saplings/seedlings, besides 11.97 lakh kg bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides and bio-agents and 61.19 lakh fingerlings and other livestock/poultry strains for availability of the farmers. As far as networking of KVK is concerned, the work is in advance stage of completion for providing e-linkage to 200 KVKs/Zonal Project Directorates.
Structure for data-base and gender specific information, collection of gender data from nine-states, testing technologies for weed control and work on horticulture based cropping model for gender mainstreaming indicated. During the period, initiated action research on gender mainstreaming on livestock management, aquaculture; developed index on involvement of women in farm operations; and developed concepts of village-level para-extension workers for testing of technologies in four village of Orissa.
568 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have been established so far against the target of 667 as approved by the Government, to conduct on-farm trials, to identify the location specificity of technologies under various farming systems, frontline demonstrations to establish the production potential of improved agricultural technologies on the farmers' fields and training of farmers to update their knowledge and skills.
Agricultural Research and Education
National Agricultural Innovation Project
Component-I (Strengthening ICAR as Catalyzing Agent of Management of Change) of NIANP aims at promoting knowledge products like digital repository of about 10,000 Ph.D theses, online access to publications of Springer (wwe.springerlink.com), Annual Reviews (www.annualreviews.org) and CSIRO (www.publish.csiro.av) covering nearly 2000 e-journals/resources and linking to 126 NARS libraries. Skill development of about 3500 personnel in project proposal writing and reporting. 'Agropedia'. a platform for aggregation and sharing information with browsing interfaces and search tools developed and released. Over 400,000 SMS messages in four months delivered, established Zonal Technology Management and business planning and development units. International training of about 500 scientists in 26 cutting edge areas of agricultural sciences and training of about 1000 NARS scientists by about 80 international experts conducted.
Under Component-2 (Research on Production to Consumptions System), the approved sub-projects include innovations in the utilization of sweet sorghum for ethanol production, development of food products from millets, (sorghum, pearl millet, foxtail and little millet). exploitation of multiple uses of cotton (stalk, cotton fibre for quantity yarn and fabric, oil, protein) and craft and gear for cost effective and responsible fishing and processing for total utilization of small pelagic and freshwater fishes. Under Component-3 (Research on Sustainable Rural Livelihood Security), through 36 approved projects, 80 disadvantaged districts (out of 150
disadvantaged districts) in 27 States of the country are covered. The total number of targeted farmers/agricultural labourers includes 83,000. Nearly one third of the partners are NGOs and the rest consists of SAUs, ICAR institutes, International centres etc, reflecting diverse partnerships. The main expected contributions of the 61 approved projects include develop mitigation strategy to control the deadly arsenic problem in food chain, genetic engineering for fixation of heterosis, genetic solutions for improved cotton ball and fibre development, enhance yield and quality in buffalo milk etc.
DARE /ICAR Headquarters
Six Indian patents were granted to ICAR, which covered inventions in the fields of animal nutrition (areas-specific mineral mixture), pest control and plant nutrition (biopesticide-cum-bio-fertilizer, fungicide, insect trap), agricultural machinery (seed-cum-fertilizer drill) and ramie fibre (degumming) 227 Scientists and other concerned staff were reoriented with the nuances of IPR in 5 training-cum-workshop programmes on IP & Technology Management conducted in five states-Meghalaya, West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh during the period.
During 2008-09 all the issues of seven periodicals, ICAR News/Reporter and Annual Report DARE/ICAR and other publications were published. Besides, band width and infrastructure of internet connectivity was enhanced and e-library publications started.
Directorate of Information and publications of Agriculture has developed online scrolling of day-to-day news, in addition to regular uploading the issues of ICAR Reporter and ICAR News on the ICAR web page. World-wide more than 753,039 visitors have browsed ICAR Web page during 2008.
Central Agricutural University, Imphal
The University is following semester system of education with 10-point scale of grading. It has internal cum external system of examination for UG programmes and only internal system for PG programmes. The University has adopted model academic regulations and syllabi as proposed by the ICAR/VCI, with some minor changes to suit the regional needs. The University offers 7 (seven) undergraduate and 20 (twenty) postgraduate degree programmes.
A total number of 226 undergraduate students were admitted, and 129 students successfully completed their programme during the year, 2008. Fifty Seven students were admitted in different Postgraduate programmes and 18 students completed their degree programme from the Collage of Agriculture.
Research for Hill and Tribal Regions
Hill Regions
Eleven varieties/hybrids of different crops were released for different agro-climatic regions resulting from the research work carried out by the institutes in North-west Himalayas.
A total of 21.9 tonnes breeder seed of 47 released varieties/inbred lines was produced. Organic seed (0.495 tonne) of wheat, pea, lentil, horsegram and French bean was also produced. In addition, around 1.2 tonnes nucleus seed of 33 released varieties was produced. Breeder seed (20.795 tonnes) was supplied to different seed producing agencies to take up further multiplication.
The research work conducted at institute located in North-East Himalayas led to development of two cold-tolerant short-duration rice genotypes with yield potential of 6.0 tonnes/ha for post-flood cultivation in NEH region. Another rice genotype, RCPL 1-129, was also developed for shifting cultivation (jhum) areas, yielding 1.8 tonnes/ha at farmers' fields without any fertilizer or crop management input. Fifty six accessions of maize were collected from so far unexplored areas of Ukhrul district of Manipur. Eighty accessions were also collected from Nagaland.
Three guava genotypes were found to be quality genotypes for the north-eastern region. These genotypes are ready for multi location trial. Strawberry varieties recommended for different locations are : Orfa for Meghalaya and Sweet Charlie for Sikkim and Manipur. Cultivation of various mushroom species using sawdust incorporated with paddy straw has been standardized with other locally available raw materials under local conditions. A quantity of 5-6 kg dried (weight) mixture of sawdust and paddy straw yielded 3 kg Lentinus edodus without 6-8 months.
An enthomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Heterorhabditis was isolated from soils and mass multiplied on laboratory hosts Galleria mellonella and Corcyra Cephalonia, Heterorhabditis @ 5 million ijs/ha was found effective in controlling maize stem-borer in 70% of the fields. The same was also used at farmers' fields for the control of maize stem-borer.
A simple and low cost technique of in-situ moisture conservation was developed for rabi crop (mustard) using residue of preceding maize crop grown during rainy season and Ambrossia, a weed, as external input ensuring double cropping under both upland terrace and flat upland situations. Mustard sown in October between maize rows by removing maize stalk and put back between mustard rows on the same day immediately after sowing and kept till harvest of mustard ensured good germination of mustard growth resulted in 5-fold increase in mustard yield over control under terrace and flat upland situations.
Mineral deficiency in dairy cows in Mizoram was quantified and based on the data, a state-specific mineral mixture feed formula was evolved. Blood serum samples of cows and the soil and fodder samples were collected from different areas of Mizoram and analyzed for macro and micro-minerals. Based on deficiency in blood, a mineral mixture composition was developed for cattle of Mizoram.
Islands (Andaman & Nicobar)
Component analysis of developed integrated farming system (IFS) models under different resource conditions in humid tropics of Bay Islands indicated that cropping contributed more to new returns (69% to 83%) in hilly and sloping hilly uplands, whereas livestock components (cattle, poultry and fish) contributed more to net returns (49 to 66%) in medium upland valley and low-lying valley areas. On an average, net returns from IFS was Rs.1.0-2.5 lakh/ha under various resource situations. Bacterial load in fish-cum-poultry-cum-duck-system revealed that Samonell sp. in the pond gets increased during monsoon and further increased during the summer, revealing unsuitability of pond water for household purpose.
Out of 32 local early flowering mango clones, 15 clones exhibiting higher qualitative characters were collected and were found free from post-harvest diseases like anthranose. Polyembryonic characters were found in all these clones even in the seedling progeny. Identification of gene expression using RAPD and ISSR markers were also done. Fifty saplings were planted in the main field for evaluation in Bay Islands (Andaman & Nicobar).
Two breeds of goats (Local Andama and Teressa) belonging to Andaman and Nicobar islands were phenotypically characterized for the first time. After Tsunami predation by crown of thorns, siltation of coastal waters, effluent discharge, unfavourable environmental conditions, human interference like coral mining were found as some of the factors responsible for damage and destruction of corals. Of the recorded 105 species of reef fishes, about 15 varieties of damsel-fishes species are harbouring in Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Plant Protection
Plant Protection continues to play a significant role in achieving targets of crop production. The major thrust areas of plant protection are promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (External website that opens in a new window), ensuring availability of safe and quality pesticides for sustaining crop production from the ravages of pests and diseases, streamlining the quarantine measures for accelerating the introduction of new high yielding crop verities, besides eliminating the chances of entry of exotic pests and for human resource development including empowerment of women in plant protection skills.
Following three Plan Schemes are being implemented by Plant Protection Division of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (External website that opens in a new window) through Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage.
Strengthening and Modernisation of Pest Management Approach in India Components
Promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (External website that opens in a new window)
Locust Control and Research
Training in Plant Protection
Implementation of Insecticides Act
On the recommendation of Planning Commission the Schemes at A to D have been merged as a single scheme i.e. "Strengthening and Modernisation of Pest Management Approach in India" with a total outlay of Rs.99.95 crore during Tenth Five year Plan (2002-2007).
Promotion of integrated Pest-Management
Keeping in view the ill effects of chemical pesticides such as development of pest resistance, pest resurgence, outbreak of secondary pests, pesticide residues in food, fodder, soil, air and water resulting in human health hazards and ecological imbalances, Government of India has adopted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (External website that opens in a new window) as the cardinal principle and main plank of plant protection strategy in the country. IPM is an eco-friendly approach aimed at minimum use of chemical pesticides by employing available alternative methods for pest control like cultural, mechanical and biological and use of bio-pesticides.
To enhance the production of bio-control agents/bio-pesticides, Government of India earmarked Rs.1500 lakh as grants-in-aid during the Eighth and Ninth Plans for establishment of 29 State Bio-control Laboratories of which an amount of Rs.1372 lakh has been released to States. During the Tenth Plan, an amount of Rs.470 lakh has been approved of whichRs.405 lakh has already been released so far for the said purpose.
With the adoption of IPM approach, consumption of pesticides has come down from 72,133 MT (tech. grade) during 1991-92 to 40,672 MT (tech. grade) during 2004-05 and there is consistent increase in use of bio-pesticides which are environmentally safe. In some of the States, farmers have stopped using chemical pesticides and have adopted organic farming.
Locust Control and Research
The Locust Warning Organisation, Jodhpur with its 10 Locust circle offices and 1 Field Station monitors two lakh sq. km. Scheduled Desert Area in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana for locust surveillance and control. During 2005-06, an area of 150 lakh hectares has been surveyed and 24 locust bulletins have been issued. Close liaison is being maintained with other locust prone countries and the FAO to keep watch over possible locust invasion. The 24th Session of FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in South West Asia was held in New Delhi from 10-14 January 2005. During the year 2005-06, 7 Indo-Pak Border Meetings were conducted with the officers of Pakistan.
Training in Plant Protection
Until 1966, there was no national training facility in India to cater to the needs of the States. To bridge this gap, the National Plant Protection Training Institute was established in 1966 at Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). The Institute has been recognised as a Regional Training Centre for Plant Protection by Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations and also as an Advanced Centre for training in Plant Protection
Technology by the World Bank. The Institute has conducted 912 courses and trained 16,747 officers/officials including 216 foreign trainees up to 2005-06.
Implementation of Insecticides Act
Pesticides are commonly used in crop protection measures for sustaining food production. These are also used for the control of vector borne diseases. As they are meant for killing insect pests and, therefore, toxic by their nature. Their misuse or abuse may result in hazards to human beings, animals and the environment. Therefore, pesticides are required to be used safely and judiciously. Keeping this in view, their import, manufacture, sale and use, etc., are being regulated under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Rules framed there under. The provisions under the Act ensure the availability of safe, effective and quality pesticides to the farmers.
The Central Government has constituted the Central Insecticides Board under Section 4 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 to advise the Central and State Governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of this Act. The Director General, Health Services is the Chairman with 29 members. The Central Government has constituted a Registration Committee to register pesticides after examining their formulae verifying their efficacy and safety to human beings, animals and environment.
The Government of India has also set up a Central Insecticides Laboratory with the major objectives of pre and post registration verification of the properties, performance and hazards of pesticides and the proposed use claimed by the manufacturers. To supplement the resources of the States/UTs in the analysis of pesticides, two Regional Pesticides Testing Laboratories have also been set up at Chandigarh and Kanpur with an analysis capacity of 900 samples per annum each.
Plant Quarantine Facilities in India
Plant Quarantine regulatory measures are operative through the "Destructive insects & pests Act, 1914 (Act 2 of 1914) (External website that opens in a new window) " in the country. The purpose and intent of this Act is to prevent the introduction of any insect, fungus or other pest, which is or may be destructive to crops. The import of agricultural commodities is presently regulated through the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 issued under DIP Act, 1914 incorporating the provisions of New Policy on Seed Development, 1988. Further, the significance of Plant Quarantine has increased in view of Globalisation and liberalisation in International trade of plants and plant material in the wake of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement under WTO. The phytosanitary certification of agricultural commodities being exported is also undertaken through the scheme as per International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), 1951.
The primary objectives of the Scheme are:
To prevent the introduction and spread of exotic pests that are destructive to crops by regulating/restricting the import of plants/plant products and
To facilitate safe global trade in agriculture by assisting the producers and exporters by providing a technically competent and reliable phytosanitary certificate system to meet the requirements of trading partners.
The major activities under the scheme include:
Inspection of imported agricultural commodities for preventing the introduction of exotic pests and diseases inimical to Indian Fauna and Flora.
Inspection of agricultural commodities meant for export as per the requirements of importing countries under International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Detection of exotic pests and diseases already introduced for containing/ controlling them by adopting domestic quarantine regulations.
Undertaking Post Entry Quarantine Inspection in respect of identified planting materials.
Conducting the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) to finalise phytosanitary requirements for import of plant/plant material.
There are 35 Plant quarantine Stations at different Airports, Seaports and Land frontiers implementing the Plant Quarantine regulations. The NPQS, New Delhi and RPQSs at Chennai, Kolkata, Amritsar and Mumbai have been strengthened with modern equipment for plant quarantine testing, etc., to facilitate speedy clearance of imports and exports under the FAO-UNDP Project.
The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of WTO envisages application of Phytosanitary measures based on scientific justifications therefore it is imperative to conduct all Plant Quarantine inspections as per the International Standards/guidelines. Accordingly, the National Standards for Phytosanitary Measures for some of the important activities have already been developed and adopted including the Guidelines for Development of National Standards for Phytosanitary Measures and six draft National Standards are under the process of approval. The Standards which are critical for our exports have been prioritised. Further, a National Integrated Fruit Fly Surveillance Programme has also been prepared with a view to establish pest-free areas against fruit flies. To streamline the Plant Quarantine activities, efforts are being made to computerise the Plant Quarantine Stations for speedy and transparent functioning.
Substantial efforts have also been made towards the international cooperation on the phytosanitary matters including participation in IPPC Standard Committee meetings for development of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, Training of fumigation service providers and regulators in methyl bromide fumigation under the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme, finalisation of SPS Protocol for export of mango to China, harmonisation of phytosanitary measures with reference to Seed trade through the Workshops organised by Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA) (External website that opens in a new window) , negotiations on free trade agreement with Thailand and Singapore, Memorandum of Understanding and work plan with Chile for cooperation on Phytosanitary matters and Indo-Nepal Joint trade and economic development negotiations.
Monitoring of Pesticide Residues
The subject "Monitoring of Pesticide Residues" has been allocated to the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (External website that opens in a new window) by the Cabinet Secretariat. Monitoring of pesticide residues at the national level is essential to ensure food safety in the country. Further, it is essential to ensure that our export consignments are not rejected due to presence of pesticide residues. The Scheme has been approved with an outlay of Rs.24 crore during the Tenth Plan.
Agricultural Mechanisation
Strategies and programmes have been directed towards replacement of traditional and inefficient implements by improved ones, enabling the farmers to own tractors, power tillers, harvesters and other machines, availability of custom hire services, support services of human resource development, testing, evaluation and research & development. A huge industrial base for manufacturing of the agricultural machines has also been developed. Introduction of technologically advanced equipments through extension and demonstration besides institutional credit has also been taken up. Equipments for resource conservation have also been adopted by the farmers.
Under various government sponsored schemes like Macro Management of Agriculture, Technology Mission for Oilseeds, Pulses and Maize, Technology Mission on Horticulture, Technology Mission on Cotton and National Food Security Mission, financial assistance is provided to the farmers for the purchase of identified agricultural implements and machines.
Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes
Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes (FMT&TIs) have been established at Budni (Madhya Pradesh), Hissar (Haryana), Garladinne (Andhra Pradesh) and at Biswanath Chariali (Assam). The institutes have been capacity to train 5600 personnel annually on various aspects of agricultural mechanization. These institutes also undertake testing and performance evaluation of agricultural machines including tractors in accordance with National and International Standards. Since inception 1,10,712 personnel have been trained and about 2584 machines tested by these institutes till 31 March 2009. During 2008-09 these institutes have trained 5894 personnel and tested 163 machines.
Demonstration of newly developed agricultural/horticultural equipments
With the objective of induction of improved/new technology in the agricultural production system, demonstration of newly developed agricultural equipment including horticultural equipment has been undertaken. The component envisages conduct of demonstrations of improved/newly developed agricultural/horticultural equipment at farmers' field to acquaint them about their use and utility for production of different types of crops. 100% grant in aid is given to the implementing agencies for procurement and demonstration of identified equipment. For implementation of schemes, funds are released to States and two organizations (viz. ICAR & SFCI) on the basis of proposals received for assistance under the scheme. During the year 2008-09, 11214 demonstrations of new equipments were conducted benefiting 1,52,364 farmers.
Outsourcing of Training
This is a new component approved from the Tenth Plan in order to train large number of farmers at nearby places and implemented w.e.f. 2004-05. The training programme have been arranged through the identified institutions by each state namely State Agricultural Universities (SAU's), Agricultural Engineering Colleges/Polytechnics etc. During the year 2008-09, funds amounting to Rs.27.20 lakh have been provided for conducting training programmes at the identified institutions.
Post Harvest Technology and Management
"Reforming Agricultural Markets & Promoting Post Harvest Technology" has been identified as one of the thrust areas for the Ministry of Agriculture by the Prime Minister's Office. Accordingly the Department is implementing a new scheme on 'Post Harvest Technology and Management during XI Plan period w.e.f. March 2008 with an approved outlay ofRs.40.00 Crores. Under the scheme the technologies developed by ICAR, CSIR and those identified from within the country and abroad for primary processing, value addition, low cost scientific storage/transport of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, surgarcare, vegetables and fruits and the crop by-product management is being given thrust. Under this scheme during the year Rs.478.00 lakh have been released for distribution of post harvest equipments through subsidy, organizing demonstration and training on post harvest technologies.
State Agro Industries Corporations
The Government of India had advised the State Governments in the year 1964, to set up State Agro Industries Corporations (SAICs) in the public sector to act as catalysts in providing access to industrial inputs for farmers, for their use in agriculture. Thus, 17 SAICS were set up in the joint sector with equity participation of the Government of India and respective State Governments, namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal during 1965 to 1970. Many of the State Governments have increased their equity participation as a result of which the Government of India, at present, is a minority shareholder. So far, the Government of India's shares in SAICs of Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and West Bengal have been transferred to the State Governments concerned.
Legislative Framework
The Dangerous Machines (Regulation) Act 1983 - External website that opens in a new window , came into force with effect with effect from 14 December 1983. The Act provides for the regulation of trade and commerce and production, supply and use of products of any industry producing dangerous machines with a view to securing the welfare of persons operating any machine and for payment of compensation for death or bodily injury suffered while operating any such machine. Power threshers used for threshing of the agricultural crops have been under the ambit of this Act. The power operated chaff cutter and power operated sugarcane crusher have also been brought under the purview of the Dangerous Machines (Regulation) Act 1983 by way of Notification No. G.S.R. 505(E) and also the Dangerous Machines (Regulation) Rules 1984 have been amended vide Notification No. G.S.R. 506(E) dated 24th July 2007.
Rainfed Farming is complex, diverse and risk prone and is characterised by low levels of productivity and low input uses. The Government of India has accorded high priority to the holistic and sustainable development of rainfed areas through integrated watershed development approach. The key attributes of the watershed approach are conservation of rain water and optimisation of soil and water resources in a sustainable and cost-effective mode. Improved moisture management increases the productivity of improved seeds and fertiliser. So conservation and productivity enhancing measures become complementary.
A National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Area (NWDPRA) was launched in 1990-91 in 25 states and two UTs. The project was continued during Tenth Five Year Plan in 28 states inclusive of three newly created States and two UTs with the purpose of increasing agriculture productivity and production in rainfed areas. The guidelines for NWDPRA have been radically restructured by retaining the technical strength and incorporating community participation. The watershed development programme is now planned, implemented, monitored and maintained by watershed communities. During Ninth plan, an area of 27.66 lakh ha has been treated. Now the scheme of NWDPRA has been subsumed within the Macro Management of Agriculture scheme. The scheme is being continued for implementation during Tenth plan under the revised guidelines, with people's participation, covering more than 6000 micro-watersheds. It is estimated that an area of about 20 lakh ha would be developed during Tenth plan. In the first four years of Tenth Plan, an area of 1.59 million hectares has been developed at an expenditure of Rs.793.82 crore.
A Watershed Development Fund (WDF) has been established at NABARD with the objective of integrated watershed development in 100 priority districts of 18 States through participatory approach. The total corpus of WDF is Rs.200 crore. Under WDF, two-thirds of amount is given for loan based project and one-third of amount is given for grant based project in the State. A number of externally aided projects are also under implementation on watershed approach, which covers an area of about 1.5 lakh hectares annually.
National Watershed Development Programme
The Department of Land Resources in the Ministry of Rural Development is administering three area-based watershed programmes for development of wastelands/degraded lands namely Drought Prone Areas Programmes (DPAP), Desert Development Programme (DDP) and Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP) to check the diminishing productivity of wasteland and loss of natural resources.
The DPAP was launched in 1973-74 to tackle the special problems faced by those areas that are constantly afflicted by drought conditions. Presently, 972 blocks of 195 districts in 16 States are covered under the Programme. DDP was launched in 1977-78 to mitigate the adverse effects of desertification.
Presently, 235 blocks of 40 districts in 7 States are covered under the Programme. IWDP has been under implementation since 1989-90. The projects under the IWDP are generally sanctioned in areas that are not covered under DDP or DPAP.
Since 1 April 1995, these three programmes are being implemented on the basis of Common Guidelines for Watershed Development. Details of projects sanctioned and funds released from 1995-96 to 2007-2008 are as under:
Details of projects sanctioned and funds released from 1995-96 to 2007-2008
Name of Scheme No. of project sanctioned Area covered (in lakh ha.) Total funds released by Centre (Rs. in crores)
DPAP 27439 130.20 2837.81
DDP 15746 78.73 2103.23
IWDP 1877 107.0 2797.56
Grand Total 45062 322.93 7738.60
The projects under DPAP and DDP are sanctioned for 500 ha. each while the IWDP projects cover an area of 5000-6000 ha. The cost norms for all the three schemes have been revised to Rs.6000 per ha. Under DPAP and DDP, it is shared between the Centre and the States in ratio of 75:25. In case of IWDP, the cost sharing between the Centre and State Governments is in the ratio of 11:1.
Funds are released in seven installments, six installments at the rate of 15 per cent and the last installment at the rate of 10 per cent. The first installment is released along with the initial sanction-order and subsequent installments on receipt of utilization for 50 per cent of the available funds as well as the following documents:
Quarterly Progress Reports
Utilisation Certificates
The Audited Statement of Accounts for the previous years and
Evidence of satisfactory completion of institutional arrangements
Projects are implemented by District Rural Development Agencies/Zilla Parishads (DRDAs/ZPs) through Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs). PIAs could be a Line Department (of the State Government), Panchayati Raj Institutions or a reputed NGO. One PIA normally handles 10-12 watershed projects covering an area of about 5000-6000 hectares. The PIA is required to maintain a technical team of 4 experts called Watershed Development Team (WDT) and individual projects (500 hectares) are planned and executed by the local people living in the watershed area called the Watershed Association (WA) through an elected body called Watershed Committee (WC).
The Department of Land Resources has brought out a new initiative called Hariyali with an objective of empowering PRIs both financially and administratively in implementation of Watershed Development Programmes. Under this initiative, all ongoing area development programmes namely, Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP), Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) are to be implemented through the PRIs. New projects under the aforesaid area development programmes are being implemented in accordance with the guidelines for Hariyali from 1 April 2003. Projects sanctioned prior to this date shall continue to be implemented as per the Watershed Development Guidelines of 2001.
In the new arrangement, Gram Panchayats shall implement projects under overall supervision and guidance of Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs). An intermediate panchayat may be the PIA for all the projects sanctioned to a particular Block/Taluka. In case, these Panchayats are not adequately empowered, then the Zilla Panchayat can either act as PIA itself or may appoint a suitable Line Department like Agriculture, Forestry /Social Forestry, Soil Conservation, etc., or an Agency of the State Government/ University/Institute as PIA. Failing these options, the ZP/DRDA may consider appointing a reputed Non-Government Organization (NGO) in the district with adequate experience and expertise in the implementation of watershed projects or related area development works as the PIA after thoroughly examining their credentials.
The Project Implementing Agency (PIA) will provide necessary technical guidance to the Gram Panchayat for preparation of development plans for the watershed through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise, undertake community organisation and training for the village communities, supervise watershed development activities, inspect and authenticate project accounts.
Watershed Development Fund (NABARD)
A Watershed Development Fund (WDF) has been established at NABARD with the objective of integrated watershed development in 100 priority districts of 18 States through participatory approach. The total corpus of WDF is Rs.200 crore. Under WDF, two-thirds of amount is given for loan based project and one-third of amount is given for grant based project in the State. A number of externally aided projects are also under implementation on watershed approach, which covers an area of about 1.5 lakh hectares annually.
Various Watershed Development Programmes namely:
National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA)
Soil Conservation in the Catchments of River Valley Project & Flood Prone River (RVP & FPR)
Reclamation & Development of Alkali & Acid Soil (RADAS)
Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA) are being implemented.
Crop Production Schemes
The Crop Development schemes, viz,
Integrated Cereal Development Programme in wheat-based cropping systems areas (ICDP-Wheat)
Integrated Cereals Development Programme in rice-based cropping systems areas (ICDP-Rice)
Integrated Cereal Development Programme on Coarse Cereals-Based Cropping Systems Areas (ICDP-Coarse Cereals)
Sustainable Development of Sugarcane-Based Cropping System (SUBACS), and
Special Jute Development Programme (SJDP) implemented during Ninth plan has since been subsumed under Macro Management of Agriculture Scheme w.e.f. October 2000 to give more flexibility to the State Governments. Assistance is provided to the States for implementation of these programmes based on the Work Plans prepared by them according to regional needs.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Intensive Cotton Development Programme (ICDP) now modified as a Mini-Mission-II of the Technology Mission on cotton, is continuing during 2008-09. The scheme is being implemented in 13 States. The aim of the scheme is to increase the production and productivity of cotton. The scheme provides assistance for extension and development activities.
The Government on June 2, 2006, approved the implementation of the Jute Technology Mission (JTM) at an estimated cost of Rs.355.55 crore, of which the outlay for mini missions III and IV will be Rs.38.60
and Rs.260.00 crore respectively. The Department of Agricultural Research & Education, Ministry of Agriculture, launched the Mini Mission I of the Jute Technology Mission (JTM) on November 9, 2006. The Department of Agriculture & Cooperative, Ministry of Agriculture, launched Mini Mission II of JTM on December 21, 2006. Mini Mission III and IV were launched by the Ministry of Textiles on February 6, 2007. JTM comprise four Mini-missions:
1. Mini-mission I - Strengthening of Research & Development
2. Mini-mission II - Transfer of Technology
3. Mini-mission III - Development of Marketing Infrastructure
4. Mini-mission IV - Modernisation/Upgradation of Technology of Jute Sector and initiation of activities for promotion of Jute Diversified Products.
A Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 'National Food Security Mission (NFSM)' has been launched by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation in 311 identified districts of 17 states, in pursuance to the resolution of National Development Council (NDC) to launch a Food Security Mission in the country, to enhance the production of rice, wheat and pulses by 10, 8 and 2 million tones, respectively by the end of XI Plan.
The NFSM has three components viz NFSM-Rice being implemented in 136 districts of 14 states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal; NFSM-Wheat being implemented in 141 districts of nine States of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal; and NFSM-Pulses being implemented in 170 districts of 14 States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Various activities of NFSM relate to demonstration of improved production technology, distribution of quality seeds of HYVs and hybrids, popularising newly released varieties, support for micro nutrients, gypsum, zero tillage, rotavators, weeders and other farm implements, IPM, INM, extension, water lifting and moisture saving devices, training and mass media campaign including awards for best performing districts. Besides, the pilot projects on community generators, control of blue bulls and demonstration of ICRISAT technologies would also be implemented.
Crop Production Schemes
The Crop Development schemes, viz,
Integrated Cereal Development Programme in wheat-based cropping systems areas (ICDP-Wheat)
Integrated Cereals Development Programme in rice-based cropping systems areas (ICDP-Rice)
Integrated Cereal Development Programme on Coarse Cereals-Based Cropping Systems Areas (ICDP-Coarse Cereals)
Sustainable Development of Sugarcane-Based Cropping System (SUBACS), and
Special Jute Development Programme (SJDP) implemented during Ninth plan has since been subsumed under Macro Management of Agriculture Scheme w.e.f. October 2000 to give more flexibility to the State Governments. Assistance is provided to the States for implementation of these programmes based on the Work Plans prepared by them according to regional needs.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Intensive Cotton Development Programme (ICDP) now modified as a Mini-Mission-II of the Technology Mission on cotton, is continuing during 2008-09. The scheme is being implemented in 13 States. The aim of the scheme is to increase the production and productivity of cotton. The scheme provides assistance for extension and development activities.
The Government on June 2, 2006, approved the implementation of the Jute Technology Mission (JTM) at an estimated cost of Rs.355.55 crore, of which the outlay for mini missions III and IV will be Rs.38.60 and Rs.260.00 crore respectively. The Department of Agricultural Research & Education, Ministry of Agriculture, launched the Mini Mission I of the Jute Technology Mission (JTM) on November 9, 2006. The Department of Agriculture & Cooperative, Ministry of Agriculture, launched Mini Mission II of JTM on December 21, 2006. Mini Mission III and IV were launched by the Ministry of Textiles on February 6, 2007. JTM comprise four Mini-missions:
Mini-mission I - Strengthening of Research & Development
Mini-mission II - Transfer of Technology
Mini-mission III - Development of Marketing Infrastructure
Mini-mission IV - Modernisation/Upgradation of Technology of Jute Sector and initiation of activities for promotion of Jute Diversified Products.
A Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 'National Food Security Mission (NFSM)' has been launched by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation in 311 identified districts of 17 states, in pursuance to the resolution of National Development Council (NDC) to launch a Food Security Mission in the country, to enhance the production of rice, wheat and pulses by 10, 8 and 2 million tones, respectively by the end of XI Plan.
The NFSM has three components viz NFSM-Rice being implemented in 136 districts of 14 states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal; NFSM-Wheat being implemented in 141 districts of nine States of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal; and NFSM-Pulses being implemented in 170 districts of 14
States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Various activities of NFSM relate to demonstration of improved production technology, distribution of quality seeds of HYVs and hybrids, popularising newly released varieties, support for micro nutrients, gypsum, zero tillage, rotavators, weeders and other farm implements, IPM, INM, extension, water lifting and moisture saving devices, training and mass media campaign including awards for best performing districts. Besides, the pilot projects on community generators, control of blue bulls and demonstration of ICRISAT technologies would also be implemented.
Seeds
Seeds are a critical and basic input for enhancing agricultural production and productivity in different agro-climatic regions. Indian seed programme largely adheres to the limited generation system for seed multiplication. The system recognizes three generations, namely, foundation and certified seeds and provides adequate safeguards for quality assurance in the seed multiplication chain to maintain the purity of variety as it flows from the breeders to the farmers.
Indian seed programme includes the participation of Central and State governments, Indian Council of Agricultural (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAU) system, Public sector, cooperative sector and private sector institutions. Seed sector in India consists of two national level corporations i.e. National Seeds Corporation (NSC) and State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI), 15 State Seed Corporations (SSCs) and about 100 major seed companies. For quality control and certification, there are 22 State Seed Certification Agencies (SSCAs) and 104 state Seed Testing Laboratories (SSTLs). The private sector has started to play a significant role in the production and distribution of seeds. However, the organized seed sector particularly for food crops cereals continues to be dominated by the public sector.
Legislative Framework and Policy
The Seeds Act, 1966 provides for the legislative framework for regulation of quality control of seeds sold in the country. The Central Seed Committee (CSC) and the Central Seed Certification Board (CSCB) are apex agencies set up under the Act to deal with all matters relating to administration of the Act and quality control of seeds. The proposed Seeds Bill 2004 has been approved by the Cabinet for moving official amendment.
In order to encourage export of seeds in the interest of farmers, the procedure for export of seeds has been simplified. Seeds of various crops have been placed under the Open General License (OGL) except the seeds of wild varieties, germplasms, breeder seeds, and upon seeds which are on restricted list under the new Export and Import Policy 2002-07.
Schemes of the Seed Division
i. This Department have launched a Central Sector Scheme namely, "Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds" from the year 2005-06. The main components are quality control arrangements on seeds, transport subsidy on movement of seeds to North-East and other hilly areas, establishment and maintenance of Seed Bank, Seed Village Scheme, assistance for creation of infrastructure facilities, assistance for boosting seed production in private sector, Human Resources Development, assistance for seed export, propagation of application of biotechnology in agriculture, promotion of use of hybrid seeds of rice and evaluation/review.
ii. Implementation of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Legislation: In order to fulfill the obligations under Article 27(3)b of Trade Related Aspects of the Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement of the World Trade Organizations (WTO), to which India has ratified, the Legislation for Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) was enacted in year 2001. The Legislation provides for the establishment of an effective system for protection of plant varieties, the rights of farmers and plant breeders and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants. With a view to provide necessary backup support for implementation of the Legislation i.e. PPV & FR Act, 2001, a Central Sector Scheme is under implementation. The scheme is now implemented by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) authority established on 11th November, 2005, under the provision of the Act. The Authority is in process of registration of plant varieties in respect of 14 selected crops. The National draft guidelines for the conduct of tests for Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) for selected 35 crops have been finalized. The main objective of the scheme is to provide financial support for functioning of PPV&FR Authority and financial assistance for developing DUS test guidelines for crops and strengthening and equipping the DUS centers and identified institutions.
In the 11th Plan, the scheme is proposed to have 12 components with an outlay of Rs.120.00 crore for implementation of PPV&FR Act. Accordingly, there is a target of setting up of two branch office of the Authority and establishment of Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Appellate Tribunal besides other projections in 11th plan period.
Integrated Nutrient Management (Fertilizers)
The main objective of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Division is to ensure adequate availability of quality fertilizers to farmers through periodical demand assessment and timely supply, promoting integrated nutrient management, which is soil test-based judicious and balanced use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures and bio-fertilizers, promotion of organic farming and ensuring quality control of fertilizers through implementation of Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985.
Fertiliser Consumption
India is the third largest producer and consumer of fertilizers in the world after China and the USA. Against 21.65 million tonnes of fertilizer nutrients (NPK) consumed during 2006-07, the nutrient consumption is 22.57 million tonnes during 2007-08. The consumption of major fertilizers namely, Urea, DAP, MOP, SSP and Complexes were 25.96, 7.50, 2.88, 2.29 and 6.57 million tonnes during 2007-08. India is by and large self sufficient in respect of Urea and about 90 per cent in case of DAP. The all India average fertilizer consumption is 116.5 kg/ha of NPK nutrients, though there is wide variation from state to state varying from 212.7 kg/ha in Punjab, 208.2 kg/ha in Andhra Pradesh, 190.9 kg/ha in Haryana to less than 5 kg/ha in States like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland etc. Considering the skewed pattern of fertilizer use, Government of India is promoting balanced and integrated use of fertilizer nutrient through various initiatives. As a result, NPK consumption ration has now improved to 5.5:2.1:1 during 2007-08 from 7.0:2.7:1 during 2000-01.
Price of Fertilizers
Presently urea is the only fertilizer which is under Statutory Price Control. To ensure adequate availability of fertilizers to farmers at reasonable rates, subsidy is provided by Government of India. Urea, the most consumed fertilizers, is subsidized under the New Urea Pricing Scheme, whereas P&K fertilizers, which are decontrolled, are covered under the Concession Scheme. The policy for uniform freight subsidy on all fertilizers under the fertilizer subsidy regime is also implemented. There is no change in the prices of major fertilizers since 28.02.2002. However, the prices of complexes grade of fertilizers have been reduced on nutrients based pricing of subsidized fertilizer w.e.f. 18.06.2008.
Prices of Major Fertilisers Level since June 2008
Fertilizer Product MRP (
Urea
DAP (Indigenous)
Complexes
MOP
SSP
Buffer Stocking of P&K Fertilizers
A buffer stock of limited quantity of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP) is being maintained at strategic locations to met emergent requirements. These stocks are in the nature of rolling stocks and are replenished when depleted. Besides meeting emergent needs, the Buffer Stock also helps to meet requirements of States which have low demand and hence sometimes find it difficult to induce suppliers to move fertilizers in small quantities.
Fertiliser Quality Control
Fertilizer is the most critical and costly input for sustaining agricultural production and ensuring food security of the country. The Government ensures the quality of fertilizers through Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), issued under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate, the trade, price, quality and distribution of fertilizers in the country. The State Governments are the enforcement agencies for implementation of the provisions of FCO, 1985. The Order strictly prohibits the manufacture, import and sale of any fertilizer, which does not meet prescribe standards. The FCO provides for compulsory registration of fertilizer manufacturers, importers and dealers, specifications of all fertilizes manufactured/imported and sold in the country, regulation on manufacture of fertilizer mixtures, packing and marking on the fertilizer bags, appointment of enforcement agencies, setting up of quality control laboratories and prohibition on manufacture/import and sale of non-standard/spurious/adulterated fertilizers. To check the quality of fertilizes sold in the country, there are 71 Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratories at present, which includes 4 Central Government laboratories namely; Central Fertilizer Quality Control & Traiing Institute, Faridabad and is three Regional Laboratories at Chennai, Navi Mumbai and Kalyani (Near Kolkata). These laboratories have a total annual analyzing capacity of 1.31 lakh samples. The analytical capacity and the number of samples analyzed and found non standard during the last 5 years are as follow:
The percentage of non standard samples on all India basis is hovering around 6% samples during last 5 years. However, there is a large variation from state to state.
Fertilizer Control Order, 1985
Analytical Capacity and the Number of Samples Analysed and found Non Standard during the last 5 Years
Year No. of Labs Annual Analytical capacity No. of samples analysed
2004-05 67 120315
2005-06 67 120415
2006-07 68 125480
2007-08 68 124778
2008-09 71 124730
In pursuance of Clause 20 A of FCO, 1985, fertilizer companies namely, Chambal fertilizer Ltd., Sri Ram Fertilizer Ltd., Tata Chemicals, National Fertilizers Ltd and KRIBHCO have been permitted to manufacture neem coated urea as provisional fertilizer for commercial trial upto 3rd August, 2009. In order to encourage
use of micronutrients, NRK complex fertilizer 15:15:15:9(S) have been included in FCO, 1985. Two new NPK 100% water soluble fertilizers 28:28:0 and 24:24:0 have also been notified under clause 20A provisionally. The specification of triple super phosphate has been revised under clause 20 of FCO, 1985 to enable easy availability of phosphatic fertilizer. 14 new grades of soil specific and crop specific customised fertilizers have been notified so far.
Promotion of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)
The Government is promoting soil test-based balanced and judicious use of chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers and locally available organic manures like farmyard manure, compost, nadep compost, vermi compost and green manure to maintain soil health and its productivity. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme, "National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility" (NPMSF) has been approved during 2008-09 with an outlay of Rs.429.85 crores for the remaining period of XI Plan. The two existing schemes namely: i) centrally sponsored scheme of Balanced and Integrated Use of Fertilizers and ii) Central Sector Scheme "Strengthening of Central Fertilizer and Quality Control & Traiing Institutes and its Regional Labs. have been subsumed in the new scheme w.e.f. 1.4.2009. The components of the new scheme include setting up of 500 new soil testing laboratories, strengthening of the existing 315 soil testing laboratories, setting up of 250 mobile soil testing laboratories, promotion of organic manures, soil amendments and distribution of micro nutrients, setting up of 20 new fertilizers quality control laboratories and strengthening of 63 existing fertilizer quality control laboratories during 11th Plan.
There are 686 Soil Testing Laboratories (2007-08) in India. These include 560 static and 126 mobile Laboratories maintained by State Governments and fertilizer industry with an annual analyzing capacity of about 7 million soil samples. During 2008-09, an amount of Rs.16.63 crore has been released under NPMSF for 42 new Static Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs), 44 Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories (MSTLs), strengthening of 39 existing soil testing laboratories, 2 new fertilizer quality control laboratories and strengthening of 19 existing fertilizers quality control laboratories (FQCLs) in 16 States.
National Project on Organic Farming
With the view to promote organic farming practices to reduce the burden on Chemical Fertilizers, to ensure effective utilization of farm resources and to cater domestic and international growing Organic Food Market, a National Project on Organic Farming was launched during 10th Plan with an outlay of Rs.115.00 crores. The earlier scheme "National Project on Development and Use of Biofertilizers" has been merged with the "National Project on Organic Farming (External website that opens in a new window) ". The main objective of the scheme includes:
Capacity Building through Service Providers.
Financial and Technical support for setting up of organic input production unit such as Fruits and Vegetable market waste compost, Biofertilizers and biopesticides and Vermiculture hatcheries.
Human resource development through training and demonstration.
Awareness creation and market development.
Quality Control of Organic Inputs.
As a continuing efforts from previous scheme for promotion of bio-fertilizers there are around 169 bio-fertilizer production units in the country with installed capacity of 67000 MT. and annual production of more than 20 thousand ton of bio-fertilizers and more than 18800 ton of other inoculants including biopesticides.
Under the scheme a capacity has also been created for processing of 708 tons of agricultural waste per day in to compost, 5606 MT of bio-fertilizers and more than 17000 ton of vermiculture and vermicompost. Since the launch of the scheme, the area under certified organic farming has increased 20 fold from 42000 ha (2003-04) to 865,000 ha (2007-08). The organic food production has increased from 4.09 lakh ton in 2006-07 to 9.02 lakh ton during 2007-08.
Dairy Development
The Indian, dairy industry has acquired substantial growth from the Eighth Plan onwards, achieving an annual output of over 104.8 million tonnes (provisional) of milk at the end of 2007-08. India's milk output has not only placed the industry first in world, but also represents sustained growth in the availability of milk & milk products. The Government is implementing following schemes for the development of dairy sector during 2008-09.
Intensive Dairy Development Programme (IDDP): The Schemes, modified as Intensive Dairy Development Programme on the basis of the recommendation of the evaluation studies was launched during Eighth Plan period and is being continued during the Eleventh Plan with an outlay of Rs.32.49 crore for 2009-10. So far 86 projects with an outlay of Rs.489.84 crore have been sanctioned in 25 States and one UT. A sum of Rs.373.82 crore has been released to various State Governments upto 31st March, 2009 and 207 districts have been covered. The scheme has benefited about 18.79 lakh farm families and organized about 26882 village level Dairy Cooperative Societies till 31st March, 2009.
Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality and Clean Milk Production (CMP): A centrally sponsored scheme was launched in October 2003, with the main objective of improving the quality of raw milk produced at the village level in the country. Under this scheme, assistance is provided for training of farmers on good milking practices. The scheme is being implemented on 100% grant-in-aid basis to District Coop Milk Unions and State Coop. Milk Federation through the State Governments/UTs for components viz. training of farmer member, detergents, stainless steel utensils, strengthening of existing laboratory facilities whereas 75% financial assistance is provided for setting up of milk ceiling facilities at village level in the form of Bulk Milk Coolers. Since inception 131 projects at a total cost of Rs.195.17 crore with central share of Rs.159.33 crore have been approved up to 31st March, 2009 under this scheme. A total sum of Rs.128.11 crore as a central share has been released to the concerned State Governments for implementation of approved project activities up to 31.03.09. The scheme has benefited 5,30,468 farmer members by imparting training and by installing 21.05 lakh litre capacity of Bulk Milk Coolers to facilitate marketing of milk produced by them and keeping its quality intact as on 31.03.09.
Assistance to Cooperative
The scheme aims at revitalizing the sick Dairy Cooperatives Unions at the District level and Co-operative Federations at the State level. Under the scheme rehabilitation programmes are prepared by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) (External website that opens in a new window) in consultation with Milk Union Federation/State Government. A central grant is released to milk union/Federations through NDDB. The scheme is being continued during Eleventh Five Year Plan with a tentative outlay of Rs.50 crore. Since inception in 1999-2000, 34 rehabilitation proposals of milk union in 12 States namely, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Assam, Nagaland, Punjab, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs.230.94 crore with a central share of Rs.115.66 crore have been approved upto 31.3.09. A total sum of Rs.88.19 crore has been released till 31.03.2009. An amount of Rs.9.00 crore has been provided in BE 2009-10 out of which a sum of Rs.155.495 lakh has been released to the concerned Milk Unions during current financial year till 20.8.2009.
Dairy Venture Capital Fund
To bring about structural changes in unorganized sector, measures like milk processing at village level, marketing of pasteurized milk in a cost effective manner, quality upgradation of traditional technology to handle commercial scale using modern equipments and management skills, a new scheme viz. Dairy Venture Capital Fund was initiated in the Tenth Five Year Plan. The assistance under the scheme is provided to the rural/urban beneficiaries under a schematic proposal through bankable projects with 50% interest free loan component.
The scheme is implemented through NABARD and the funds released by GOI to NABARD are kept as revolving fund. Under the scheme the entrepreneur has to contribute 10% and arrange 40% loan from local bank. Government of India provides 50% interest free loan through NABARD. Government of India also subsidizes the interest component payable by the farmer's agricultural activities to the extent of 50% only in case of regular/timely repayment.
This scheme was approved in Dec-2004 with a total outlay of Rs.25.00 crore. The scheme is being implemented through NABARD and the funds released to NABARD to be kept as revolving fund. Since inception, a sum of Rs.112.99 crore has been released to NABARD for implementation of the scheme up to 31st March 2009. There is a provision of Rs.38.00 crore for implementation of the scheme during 2009-10, out of which 10.00 crore have been released till, 31.07.2009.
Milk and Milk Product Order-1992
The Government of India notified the Milk and Milk Product Order on June 1992. As per the provisions of this order, any person/dairy plant handling more than 10,000 liters per day of milk or 500 MT of milk solids per annum needs to be registered with the registering authority appointed by the Central Government. With the Enactment of Food Safety Standard Act-2006, at present the work related to MMPO-92 is under Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), M/o Health & Family Welfare.
National Dairy Plan
Government is also examining launching a National Dairy Plan with an outlay of more than Rs.17,300 crore to achieve a target of 180 million tonnes of Milk producing annually by 2021-22. Milk production is expected to grow at 4% with an annual incremental output of 5 million tonnes in the next 15 years. Under this plan the government is contemplating to enhance milk production in major milk producing areas, strengthen and expand infrastructure to production, process and market milk through the existing and new institutional structures. The plan envisages breed improvement through Al and through nature service, setting up plants to augment cattle feed, bypass protein and mineral mixture. The plan also proposed to bring 65% of the surplus milk produced under the organized sector for procurement as against the present 30%. Efforts are on the tap for World Bank funding for this project.
fruit
India has a large range of varieties of fruit in its basket and accounts for 10 per cent of world's total fruit production. Mango, banana, citrus, pineapple, papaya, guava, sapota, jackfruit, litchi and grape, among the tropical and sub-tropical fruits, apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, almond and walnut among the temperate fruits and aonla, ber, pomegranate, fig, phalsa among the arid zone fruits are important. India leads the world in the production of mango, banana, sapota and acid lime and in productivity of grapes per unit land area.
India is the largest producer of mango, banana, sapota and acid lime. About 39 per cent of world's mango and 23 per cent of world's banana is produced in the country. In grapes, India has recorded the highest
productivity per unit area in the world. The overall production of horticultural crops registered an increase of 8.0 per cent during 2004-05 as compared to 2003-04. The percentage increase in fruit production has been to the tune of 1.5 per cent during the period.
Vegetables
More than 40 kinds of vegetables belonging to different groups, namely, solanaceous, cucurbitaceous, leguminous, cruciferous (cole crops), root crops and leafy vegetables are grown in India in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions. Important vegetable crops grown in the country are tomato, onion, brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, okra and peas.
India is next only to China in area and production of vegetables and occupies prime position in the production of cauliflower, second in onion and third in cabbage in the world. The area and production of major vegetables during 2004-05 is estimated at 6.30 million ha with a production of 93.0 million tonnes and average productivity of 14.8 tonnes per ha. The production has increased by 5.7 per cent.
Spices
Spices constitute an important group of horticultural crops and are defined as vegetable products or mixture thereof, free from extraneous matter, used for flavouring, seasoning and imparting aroma in foods. The term applies equally to the product in the whole form or in the ground form. India is known as the home of spices and produces a wide variety of spices like black pepper, cardamom (small and large) ginger, garlic, turmeric, chilli and a large variety of tree and seed spices.
India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices and spice products. The total production of spices was 4.3 million metric tonnes and the area covered was 2.56 million hectares.
Plantation Crops
Plantation crops constitute a large group of crops. The major plantation crops include coconut, arecanut, oil palm, cashew, tea, coffee and rubber; the minor plantation crops include cocoa. Their total coverage is comparatively less and they are mostly confined to small holdings. However, they play an important role in view of their export potential as well as domestic requirements and in employment generation and poverty alleviation programmes particularly in rural sector.
India is also the largest producer and consumer of cashew nuts. It is estimated that total production of cashew is around 0.57 million tonnes from an area of 0.24 million hectares. The cultivation of vanilla in India started in 1990s and was confined mostly to Karnataka and Kerala and to a lesser extent in Tamil Nadu, Northeast region, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India's production of vanilla was about 101 Metric Tonnes from about 27,811 hectare in 2004-05. Coconut is grown in an area of 1.93 million ha. with a production of 12,148 million nuts and productivity of 6285 nuts per ha. India is the third largest producer of coconut and leads 90 coconut-producing countries of the world. It occupies number one position in arecanut production. India has been considered as a treasure house of valuable medicinal and aromatic plant species. The Government of India have identified and documented over 9,500 plant species considering their importance in the pharmaceutical industry. Out of these, about 65 plants have large and consistent demand in world trade. As a result, horticulture is not only an integral part of food and nutritional security, but also an essential ingredient of economic security.
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Medicinal and aromatic plants have been used in the country for a long time for their medicinal properties. About 2,000 native plant species have curative properties and 1,300 species are known for their aroma and flavour. The Indian systems of medicines, popularly known as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha drugs are of great demand in the country. There is already a spurt in demand for plant-based drugs and lately many such native species of medicinal values are being brought under systematic cultivation.
India has been considered as a treasure house of valuable medicinal and aromatic plant species. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (External website that opens in a new window) , Government of India have identified and documented over 9,500 plant species considering their importance in the pharmaceutical industry. Out of these, about 65 plants have large and consistent demand in world trade. India however produces only limited quantities of these materials. In terms of market share in production value, India holds only the 6th place with a mere 7 per cent share. On the contrary, we are still importing about 10 types of essential oils to the tune of 8,000 tonnes per annum.
Soil and Water Conservation
Soil and water conservation measures are one of the essential inputs for increasing agricultural output in the country. These programmes were first launched during the First Plan. From the very beginning, emphasis has been on development of technology for problem identification, enactment of appropriate legislation and constitution of policy coordination bodies. While conceptual framework of soil and water conservation activities has been changed, concept of programmes has undergone considerable revision during successive Five-Year Plans.
The Centrally-Sponsored Scheme of Soil Conservation in the catchments of River Valley Project (RVP) was started in the Third Five-Year Plan. Subsequently, another scheme of Flood Prone Rivers (FPR) was started in the Sixth Five-Year Plan keeping in view the magnitude of floods in 1978. Both the schemes were clubbed together during the Nineth Five-Year Plan on recommendation of Expenditure Finance Committee and were subsumed under Macro Management Mode since November 2000. Under the programme for the Catchment Management of River Valley Projects and Flood Prone Rivers, 53 Catchments are covered, spread over in 27 States. The total Catchment area is 141 million ha. with Priority Area needing urgent treatment in 28 million ha. Out of this 6.08 76 India 2007 million. ha. have been treated till 2004-05 with an expenditure of Rs.1894 crore. During 2005-06 an area of 0.17 million ha. have been treated with an expenditure of Rs.145 crore.
A Centrally-Sponsored Scheme of Reclamation of Alkali Soil was taken up in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh during the Seventh Five Year Plan. During the Nineth Plan, extension of the Scheme to all other States of India was approved where alkali soil problems exist as per scientific parameters. The Scheme aims at improving physical conditions and productivity status of alkali soils for restoring optimum crop production. The major components of the scheme include, assured irrigation water on farm development works like land leveling, bunding and ploughing, agriculture, community drainage system, application of soil amendment organic manures, etc. An area of 0.66 million ha out of 3.5 million ha., of alkali land has been reclaimed till the end of 2004-05 in the country. The Scheme at present stands subsumed within the Macro Management Scheme. During 2005-06 an area of 0.03 million ha have been reclaimed with an expenditure of Rs.9.29 crore.
The Scheme of Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas was launched in seven North-Eastern States during the Eighth Plan from 1994-95 with 100 per cent Central assistance to the State Plan. The Scheme aims at overall development of jhum areas on watershed basis. During the Eighth Plan an amount of Rs.31.51 crore was spent by the States of north-east region and 0.67 lakh ha. area was treated through treatment packages. During the Nineth Plan, 1.57 lakh ha. have been treated with an expenditure of Rs.82 crore.
The new guidelines of the scheme on the basis of new watershed to common approach has been effective from November 2000 in the revised cost norms of Rs.10,000 per ha. on net treatable area basis with additional activities and improved institutional mechanism. During the Tenth Plan, an area of 0.89 lakh ha. has been treated with an expenditure ofRs.88.32 crore up to end of 2005-06.
Conservation of Threatened Breeds
The population of some of the pure bred small ruminants, equines, pigs and pack animals has come down considerably and such breeds have come to the category of threatened breeds in the country.
A new centrally sponsored scheme for conservation of such threatened breeds was started during Tenth Five Year Plan with a budget outlay of Rs.1500 lakhs. Farms/farmer's units in their respective breeding tract are established under the scheme with 100% central assistance. The conservation projects are being implemented by State Governments, Universities and NGO's. During the Tenth plan period, conservation projects for 27 breeds were taken up. During 2007-08, an amount of Rs.136.06 lakh was release for the conservation of Sangamneri Goat in the State of Maharashtra (Rs.32 lakh), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana (Rs.30 lakh), Government of Gujarat for conservation of Kathiawari horses (Rs.36.81 lakh) and Rs.28.25 lakh was released the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh for Conversation of Mujaffarnagri Sheep by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut and Rs.9 lakh released to NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS) for evaluation of the scheme.
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Department of Agriculture & Co-operation
Technology mission on Oilseeds, Pulses & Maize Division
Subordinate Legislation Linked to the Principal Act
The National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board Rules, 1984
under
National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board Act, 1983 (29 of 1983)
Subordinate legislation underTHE NATIONAL OILSEEDS AND VEGETABLE OILS DEVELOPMENT BOARD ACT, 1983 (29 of 1983)Date of commencement of the Act.
G.S.R. 206 (E) the 8th March, 1984.- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board Act, 1983 (29 of 1983), the Central Government hereby appoints the 8th day of March, 1984 as the date on which the said Act shall come into force.
[Ministry of Agriculture No. 25-7/82-CA.II(ODB)/CA.VI (i)]The National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board Rules , 1984
1* G.S.R. 207(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by section 18 of the National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board Act, 1983 (29 of 1983), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely :
CHAPTER 1Preliminary
1. Short title and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board Rules, 1984.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions.- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) “Act” means the National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board Act, 1983 (29 of 1983);
(b) “committee” means any of the committee appointed by the Board under section 8 ;
2.1 *[(bb) ]“Form means form annexed to these rules ;
(c) “Secretary” means the secretary appointed under subsection (3) of section 6 ;
(d) “section” means a section of the Act ;
(e) The words and expressions used and not defined, but defined in the Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
CHAPTER IIThe Board and its members
3. Manner of filling vacancies among members.- (1) The Central Government may make consultations, as it may think fit, before appointing the representatives of the interests specified in clause (f), (g), (k), (l),(m), (n) and (o) of sub-section (4) of section 4.
(2) When a member of the Board other than an ex-officio member, dies or resigns or is deemed to have resigned or is removed from office or becomes incapable of acting, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint a person to fill that vacancy :
Provided that where the vacancy is one which was held by the outgoing member by virtue of his membership of parliament under clause (e) of sub-section (4) of section 4. the appointment of the next incumbent of that vacancy shall be made on the basis of fresh election by that House of Parliament to which the outgoing member belonged.
4. Term of office of members.- (1) Save as hereinafter provided,-
(i) a member, other than an ex-officio member, shall hold office for a period not exceeding three years from the date of his appointment ;
(ii) a member elected under clause (e) of sub-section (4) of section 4 shall cease to be a member of the Board if he ceases to be a member of the House of Parliament by which he was so elected ;
(iii) a member appointed under clauses (l), (m), (n) and (o) of sub-section 4 of section 4 shall cease to be a member of the Board if he ceases to represent the category or interest from which he was so appointed :
Provided that a member shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(2) A person appointed to fill a casual vacancy under sub-rule (2) of rule 3 shall hold office so long as the member whose place he fills would have been entitled to hold office, if the vacancy had not occurred.
5. Resignation.- (1) The office of a member, other than an ex-officio member, shall fall vacant from the date on which his resignation is accepted or on the expiry of thirty days from the date of receipt of intimation of resignation, whichever is earlier.
(2) The power to accept the resignation of a member under sub-rule (1) shall vest in the Chairman, who on accepting the resignation, shall report that to the Board at its next meeting.
6. Removal from Board.- The Central Government may remove any member from office,-
(a) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court ; or
(b) if he is an undischarged insolvent ; or
(c) if he is convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude ; or
(d) if, without the leave of the Chairman, he fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Board.
7. Absence from India.- Before a member of the Board goes out of India.
(a) he shall intimate the Secretary the date of his departure from and the date of his expected return to India ;
(b) if he intends to be absent from India for a period longer than six months, he shall tender his resignation.
8. Membership roll.- The Secretary shall keep a record of the names of members and their addresses.
9. Change of address.- A member shall keep the Secretary informed of any change in his address and if he fails to inform the change of address, the address in the official records shall for all purposes be deemed to be his address.
CHAPTER III
Travelling and other allowances to the members of the Board/Committeesunder the Board and the persons
associated by the Board
10. Travelling and other allowances to members of the Board and its committees and persons associated with the Board under sub-section (7) of section 4 or co-opted as a member of its committees under sub-section (4) of section 8-(1) A member of the Board or its committee or a person associated with the Board under sub-section (7) of section 4 or a person co-opted as a member of a committee under sub-section (4) of section 8, other than a Government servant, shall be entitled to draw in respect of any journey performed by him for the purpose of attending meeting of the Board or of a duly constituted committee thereof, or for the purpose of discharging any duty assigned to him by the Board or the committee concerned, travelling allowance and daily allowance at the highest rate admissible to Government servants of the first grade under the rules and orders made by the Central Government and for the time being in force :
Provided that, the payment of travelling allowance and daily allowance to a member who is a Member of the Parliament or a Member of a State Legislature shall be
regulated in accordance with the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 or the respective provisions of law pertaining to the Members of the concerned State legislature.
(2) In the case of any journey performed by an official of the Central Government or the State Government specially nominated by the Board to serve on any ad hoc committee or any other committee or to attend to any other business of the Board, the travelling and daily allowances admissible to him shall be payable by the Board at the rates admissible to him under the rules of the Government under which he is for the time being employed.
(3) No travelling allowances or daily allowance shall be allowed to a member of the Board or its committee or any other person associated by the Board or co-opted by its committee unless he certifies that he has not drawn any travelling or daily allowance from any other source in respect of the journey and half for which the claim is made.
(4) Travelling allowance shall be payable from the usual place of residence of a member or the person entitled under these rules to the place of the meeting or the place where he has gone to attend to any business of the Board or any of its committees and back to his place of residence :
Provided that, when the journey commences from or the return journey terminates at any place other than his usual place of residence, the travelling allowance shall be limited to the amount that would have been payable had the journey commenced from or terminated at the usual place of residence or to the amount payable in respect of the actual journey undertaken whichever is less :
Provided further that, in special circumstances and with previous approval of the Central Government, the Chairman may grant travelling allowance from places other than the usual place of residence of a member.
(5) The Secretary shall be the controlling officer for the purpose of travelling and daily allowance of the members of the Board or of any committee or the persons associated with the Board or co-opted as member of any committee.
11. Conveyance Allowance.- No conveyance allowance for attending meetings of the Board or any of the committees of the Board or for attending to any other business of the Board shall be paid to those members or persons who draw travelling or daily allowance :
Provided that a member or a person who is resident at a place where the meeting of the Board or any of the committees is held or where any other business of the Board is transacted, may be paid the actual expenditure incurred on conveyance by him subject to a maximum of rupees ten per day.
12. Payment of fees.- Fees may be paid upto a limit of Rs.1000 to a person associated by the Board or to a person co-opted as a member of a committee of the Board for special work
of occasional or intermittent character done in furtherance of the objectives of the Board and in compliance with any of the provisions of the Act :
Provided that the admissibility of fees and its quantum in each case will be decided in accordance with the relevant rules and orders framed by the Central Government :
Provided further that fees beyond the limit of Rs. 1000 to one person during a year can be sanctioned only with the prior approval of the Chairman.
13. Travelling and daily allowances, etc. for journey undertaken outside India.- No travelling allowance for any journey undertaken outside India shall be paid to any member of the Board or any committee or any person associated with the Board or co-opted as member of any committee :
Provided that, if any member of the Board or any committee with the previous consent of the Central Government, travels outside India in the interest of the Board, he shall be entitled to receive travelling and other allowances at such rates as may be sanctioned by the Central Government from time to time for non-official members of a delegation sent by it outside India.
CHAPTER IV
Powers to incur expenditure
14. Power to incur expenditure.- (1) Subject to the provisions of the Act and these rules and the rules made and orders issued by the Central Government relating to revenue and expenditure for the time being in force, the Board may incur such expenditure as it may think fit on items provided for and within amounts sanctioned by the Central Government, in the budget.
(2) The re-appropriations between sub-heads and heads of expenditure may be made by the Board.
(3) The Board shall not incur expenditure outside India on any item without the previous sanction of the Central Government.
15. Contracts.- (1) The Board may enter into any contract for the discharge of the functions entrusted to it under the Act :
Provided that –
(a) every contract which extends over a period of more than three years or involves an expenditure in excess of rupees one lakh and
(b) every agreement or contract for technical collaboration or consultation services with firms or foreign Governments shall require the previous sanction of the Central Government.
(2) Contracts shall not be binding on the Board unless they are executed by the Executive Director or any officer authorised by the Board.
(3) Neither the Executive Director nor any officer of the Board nor any member thereof shall be personally liable under any assurances or contracts made by the Board and any liability arising under such assurances or contract shall be discharged from the moneys at the disposal of the Board.
16. Financial transactions in general.- Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the provisions of the Central Treasury Rules, the Delegation of Financial Power Rules 1978 and the General Financial Rules 1963 of the Central Government, for the time being in force, shall, subject to such modifications or adaptations as may be made by the Board therein with the previous approval of the Central Government apply to all financial transactions of the Board.
17. Powers and duties of Executive Director.- (1). The Executive Director shall as the Chief Executive of the Board. be responsible for the proper functioning of the Board, implementing the Board’s policies and the discharge of its functions as provided under the Act and the duties under these rules and the regulations framed by the Board.
(2) Subject to the provisions of these rules the Executive Director may delegate his powers under this rule to any other officer of the Board.
(3) The Executive Director shall have the power to grant leave to all officers and employees of the Board and may delegate this power to any other officer of the Board subject to such conditions as he thinks fit.
(4) The Executive Director shall have power :-
(i) to incur expenditure for contingencies, supplies and service and purchase of articles required for the maintenance and working of the office of the Board within such limits as may be laid down by the Board ; and
(ii) to carry out the measures in furtherance of the objects of the Act, as provided under section 9.
[No. 25-7/82-CA.II(DDB)/CA VII (ii)]
1* CHAPTER – VPowers of the Managing Committee
18. The Managing Committee, subject to provisions of rule 19, shall have the powers to :-
(a) create posts carrying a scale of pay with maximum upto Rs.4500 per month subject to the observance of the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time; and
(b) sanction developmental schemes and incur expenditure on them upto a ceiling of rupees one crore, in each case.
CHAPTER – VIThe Board and its Establishment
19. Establishment of the Board.- (1) The Board may, subject to availability of funds by inclusion of specific budget provision for the purpose, sanction posts as provided for under sub-section (5) of section 6, if in its opinion such creation of posts is considered necessary for the efficient performance of its functioning :
Provided that funds may also be made available for the purpose by savings under an appropriate head of the budget or by reappropriation with the approval of the Central Government
Provided further that no post carrying a pay or a scale of pay the maximum of which is above Rs. 4500 per mensum subject to the observance of the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time shall be created and appointments made thereto without the previous sanction of the Central Government.
Provided also that proposals relating to emoluments structure, namely, adoption of pay scales, allowances and revision thereof and creation of posts above the level specified under rule 18 would need the prior approval of the Central Government.
(2) Subject to the other provisions of these rules and regulations, -
(a) the Executive Director may make appointments to Group ‘A’ posts with the approval of the Chairman of the Board ; and (b) the Executive Director may make appointments to Group ‘B’ , ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts.
20. Abolition of posts. – The Board may abolish any post which it is competent to create.
21. Filling of posts by direct recruitment .– All vacancies in the rank of officers carrying a pay, or a scale of pay, the maximum of which is above Rs. 3500 per mensum or in any other posts classified as technical posts, to be filled by direct recruitment, shall be advertised and all vacancies in other ranks shall be notified to the local Employment Exchange concerned and other agencies, in accordance with rules and regulations in force in respect of vacancies under the Central Government and appointments shall be made from among the persons making application in pursuance of the advertisement or the candidates recommended by the Employment Exchange, as the case may be.
_________________________________________________________________
1* Added by G.S.R. 94 (E), dated 23.2.1990
22. Filling of posts by promotion.- In filling vacancies by promotion in respect of the categories of posts, referred to in sub-rule(2) of rule 19, the Executive Director shall consider the claims of all candidates eligible for promotion to such posts.
23. Sending persons abroad.- The Board shall not send any officer of the Board or any member of the Board to places outside India without the previous sanction of the Central Government.
CHAPTER – VII
Powers of Chairman, Vice-Chairman,
Executive Director and Secretary
24. Power and duties of Chairman.- The Chairman shall preside over the meetings of the Board and shall exercise such powers for the conduct of the business of the Board as may be vested in him by the
Board.
25. Powers and duties of Vice-Chairman .- (1) The Vice-Chairman shall preside over the meetings of the Board in the absence of Chairman.
(2) The Vice-Chairman shall exercise such powers and perform such functions of the Chairman as may be delegated to him by the chairman.
26. Powers and duties of the Executive Director,- (1) It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Director to ensure that for carrying out the functions and duties under sub-rule (1) of rule 17, the Board works in close liaison with the State Governments, Union and other agencies, institutions and authorities, such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Agricultural Universities, Coconut Development Board and other institutions and organisations concerned with the Oilseeds industry and the Vegetable Oils industry and avoid duplication of efforts. It
shall also be the responsibility of the Executive Director to ensure that in carrying out the functions and duties under sub-rule (1) of rule 27, proper measures are taken to protect the interests of small farmers and producers so that they may become participants in and beneficiaries of development and growth of oilseeds industry and the vegetable oils industry.
(2) The Executive Director shall exercise administrative control over all departments and officers of the Board.
(3) The Executive Director shall have power to call for documents and records and to inspect or cause to be inspected accounts and places of storage or of business as required under the Act or these rules or as may be considered necessary for discharging properly any of the function of the Board.
(4) The Executive Director shall have power to require the Board or any Committee thereof to defer taking any action in pursuance of any decision taken by the Board or the Committee , as the case may be, pending a reference to the Central Government on such decision.
(5) Where the matter has to be disposed of by the Board or a Committee thereof and decision in respect of that matter cannot wait till a meeting of the Board or the Committee, as the case may be, is held or till completion of circulation of the relevant papers among the members of the Board or the Committee, the Executive Director may take required decision himself with the approval of the Chairman if the matter requires the approval of the Board, and of the Vice-Chairman, if the matter requires the approval of any Committee or the Board.
(6) Where the Executive Director takes such decision with the approval of the Chairman or the Vice-chairman, as the case may be, shall submit the same for ratification by the Board or the Committee, as the case may be, at its next meeting :
Provided that if the Board or the Committee modifies or annuls the decision taken by the Executive Director , such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of any action taken before such modification or cancellation.
27. Powers and duties of Secretary.- Subject to such powers and duties as may be delegated by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Executive Director, the Secretary shall. - (1) case all important papers and matters to be presented to the Board as early as practicable;
(2) issue directions as to the method of carrying out the decisions of the Board;
(3) grant receipt on behalf of the Board for all moneys received under the Act;
(4) maintain or cause to be maintained an account of the receipt and expenditure of the Board and also the various registers that may be prescribed for the Board under the Act or these rules;
(5) present an annual draft report on the working of the Board to the Board for approval and submit the report in the form approved by the Board to the Central Government not later than the dates specified from time to time in this behalf by the Central Government for being laid on the table of both Houses of Parliament; and
(6) report to the Executive Director in all administrative matters and in discharge or such other functions as the Executive Director may direct.
CHAPTER – VIII
Finance Budget and Accounts of the Board
28. Budget Estimates,- (1) The Board shall in each year prepare budget estimates for the ensuing financial year and revised estimates for the current year and shall submit it for sanction to the Central Government on or before such date as may be fixed by that Government. The revised budget when sanctioned shall supersede the original budget and shall be deemed to be the sanctioned budget for the year
(2) No expenditure shall be incurred until the budget is sanctioned by the Central Government and the expenditure has received the sanction of the competent authorities:-
Provided that, pending sanction of the budget by the Central Government, the Board may incur 1/6th of the expenditure provisions included in the Budget (except new service items).
(3) The budget shall be prepared in accordance with such instructions as may be issued from time to time and be in such form as the Central Government may direct. It shall include a statement of –
(i) the estimated opening balance ;
(ii) the estimated receipts referred to in sub-section (1) of section 12 of the Act ; and .
(iii) 1* [ The estimated expenditure classified under the following object heads or such other heads and sub-heads as the Central Government may direct, namely : -
Object Heads of Classification for Expenditure
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Sr. No. Object head Description/Definition
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1 2 3
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Object Class 1 (Personnel Services and Benefits)1. Salaries Pay, allowances in all forms of Personnel including
honoraria and leave encashment except travel expenses (other than leave travel concession).
2. Wages Wages of labourers and staff at present paid out of contingencies.
3. Overtime Amount paid to a Non-Gazetted Board employee for performing official duties beyond office hours in addition to his working hours.
4. Pensionary charges Payment of pension and gratuity in all forms to Board employees.
Object Class 2 (Administrative Expenses)5. Domestic travel Expenses on account of travel on duty in India including
conveyance and fixed travelling allowances but excluding leave travel concessions which would be part of salaries. This will also include TA/DA to non-official members on account of travel in India.
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1. Substituted by G.S.R. 261 (E), dated 7-6-19966. Foreign travel expenses Expenses on account of travel on duty outside India
including deputation of Scientists abroad. This will also include the expenditure on TA/DA to non-official members going on tour abroad.
7. Office expenses All contingent expenses for running an office such as
furniture, postage, purchase and maintenance of office machines and equipment, liveries, hot and cold wheather charges (excluding wages of staff paid from contingencies), telephones, electricity and water charges, stationery, printing of forms, purchase and maintenance of staff cars and other vehicles for office use. This will also include P.O.L. expenses on vehicles for office use.
8. Rent, Rates, Taxes Payment of rent for hired buildings, municipal rates and taxes, etc. It will also include lease charges for land.
9. Publications Expenditure on printing of office codes, manuals and other documents whether priced or unpriced but will exclude expenditure on printing of publicity material.
10. Other Administrative expenses
Expenditure on Departmental canteen, hospitality/entertainment expenses, gifts and expenditure on conducted tours, expenditure on Conferences/Seminar/Workshops, etc. and other training programme.
Object Class 3 (Contractual Services & Supplies)
11. Supplies & Material Expenditure on materials and supplies stores and equipment etc.
12. POL Expenditure on POL of transport vehicles used for field activities.
13. Advertising & Publicity Expenditure on exhibitions, fairs, printing of publicity material.
14. Minor works Expenditure on repair and maintenance of works, machinery and equipment.
15. Professional Services Charges for legal services, consultancy fees, remuneration to the examiners, invigilators etc. for conducting examinations and all other types of remunerations.
16. Other Contractual Services Expenditure on service or commitment charges and notional value of gifts received.
Object Class 4 (Grants, etc.)
17. Grants-in-Aid Grants-in-Aid
(a) Development Schemes
(b) Improvement of marketing facilities
(c) Research
(d) Extension activities18 Contributions Expenditure on membership of international bodies.
Object Class 5 (Other Expenditure)
19 Interest Interest on capital an discount on loans.
20 Other Charges Payment on awards and prizes etc. Any other expenditure which cannot be classified under any of
these specified object heads will be debited to this head.
Object Class 6 (Acquision of Capital Assets and other Capital Expenditure)
21 Motor Vehicles Purchase and maintenance of transport vehicles used for functional activities (field duties etc.) which are distinct from those used for running an office.
22 Machinery & equipment Machinery & equipment, apparatus etc. other than those required for the running of an office and special tools and plants acquired for specific works.
23. Major Works Cost of acquisition of land and structures.
24 Loans & advances All loans and advances granted to Board employees.
Object Class 7 (Accounting Adjustments)
25 Depreciation Depreciation on all assets items.
26 Reserves Excess of income over expenditure.
27 Inter account transfer Include transfer to and from reserve fund, etc., write back from capital to revenues.
28 Write-off /Losses Write-off of irrecoverable loans, losses will include trading losses.
29. Accounts of the Board.- (1) The Board shall maintain accounts of all receipts and expenditure relating to each year and maintain records annually of the receipts and payment account and income and expenditure account and a Balance Sheet in Form ‘A’ , Form ‘B’ and Form ‘C’ respectively. These accounts shall be approved by the Board and submitted to Auditors.
(2) The annual accounts of the Board as mentioned in sub-rule (1) together with audit report thereon, as provided under sub-section (4) of section 14 of the Act shall be submitted annually to the Central Government as soon as possible after the close of the year and in any case not later than the dates specified in this behalf by the Central Government for being laid on the table of both Houses of Parliament.
(3) Without preudice to anything contained in this rule, the Board shall, after the end of each financial year, submit to the Central Government a report in a form to be decided by the Central Government giving a true and full account of its activities, policies and programmes during the previous financial year latest by the 30th June.
30. Deposit of funds of the Board in banks and investment of such funds.-
(1) Money required for the current expenditure of the Board with the exception of petty cash and surplus moneys shall be kept in a bank account in the state Bank of India or any of the nationalised banks andoperated as per requirements and expenditure shall be incurred only after the sanction thereof by withdrawing money from this account.
(2) Funds in the Board’s Pension Fund or Provident Fund not required for current expenditure may be invested in Trustee Securities or Ten Year Treasury Savings Deposit Certificates or National Savings Certificates or National Deposit Certificates to the extent permissible or in fixed deposit with the State Bank of India or any of its subsidiaries or, if approved by the Central Government, with any other nationalised Bank.
Explanation.- In this sub-rule,
‘nationalised bank’ means a corresponding new bank constituted under section 3 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings ) Act 1970 or (5 of 1970) section 3 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980 (40 of 1980).
(3) Payment by or on behalf of the Board shall be made in cash or cheque drawn against the account of the Board.
1* [ (4) Such cheques and all orders for making deposit or investment or withdrawal of the same or for the disposal in any other manner or the funds of the Board shall be signed by the Secretary and in his absence by Finance and Accounts Officer and countersigned by the Executive Director or any other officer of the Board duly authorised by him.” ]
CHAPTER – IXMiscellaneous
31. Reports and returns.– (1) The Chairman or any other officer authorised by the Chairman shall have power to call for any information on statistics in respect of oilseeds and vegetable oils or any other product of oilseeds and vegetable oils from –
(i) growers of oilseeds ;
(ii) dealers in oilseeds and vegetable oils including oilseeds and vegetable oils milling industry ;
(iii) manufacturers of oilseeds and vegetable oils products ; and
(iv) any person or firm or company or any other institution dealing in, or having any connection with, oilseeds and vegetable oils products.
(2) The Board shall furnish latest by 31st December a programme of its activities including developmental programmes for the next financial year. -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1* Substituted by G.S.R. 634 (E), dated 12 – 10-1998
(3) In the event of the Financial Adviser, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, who is a member of the Board disagreeing on any financial matter under consideration of the Board and beyond the delegated powers of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under the Delegation of Financial Powers Rules, 1978, the matter shall be referred to the Central Government for a Decision.
FORM ‘A’
[See rule 29(1)]
NATIONAL OILSEEDS AND VEGETABLE OILS DEVELOPMENT BOARDReceipt and Payment Accounts for the year
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RECEIPTS PAYMENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 2
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To balance with Banks
(Indicate all Current/Saving Bank Account in various Banks in detail)
(A) Non-Plan expenditure/(B) Plan Expenditure.
I. Administration.
Cash in hand
Headquarters
1. Pay of Officers.
2. Pay of Establishment
Regional Offices
Imprest Balance(Details to be indicated)
Grants received from Central Government
House Building Advance
Conveyance Advance
Festival Advance
T.A. Advance
Medical Advance
Pay Advance
Loans Repaid
Other Advances (Details to be specified)
Suspense Payments Recoverable
Interest on Loans
Sundry Payments Recoverable
Sale of ____________
Income from Farms/Demonstration Centres (Details to be specified)
Miscellaneous receipts (Nature of receipts to be specified viz.
House Rent Recovery, Interest on advances, etc.)
3. Allowances/Honorarium
4. Contingency/Office Expenses
5. Rent, rates & taxes.
6. Other Charges
7. Travel Expenses
8. Loans
II. Development
III. Improvement of marketing facilities.
IV. Extension Activities.
V. Statistics.
VI. Research.
VII. Works
VIII. Provident Fund/Pension/Leave salary contribution
Total Plan/Non-Plan Expenditure
Expenses on Farms/Demonstration Centre.
Payment of Taxes, etc.
Suspense Receipts Refunded (By Suspense payments)
Cooperative Sundry Recoveries.
Sundry receipt
To Suspense Receipts
Cumulative Time Deposit Recoveries
Life Insurance Corporation Recoveries.
Cooperative Sundry Recoveries
Cumulative Time Deposit Recoveries.
Life Insurance Corporation Recoveries.
Provident Fund Recoveries
Income Tax Recoveries.
Income Tax Recoveries
Provident Fund Recoveries.
Miscellaneous Expenses.
By Closing Balance with Bank (Bank-wise, Account-wise details to be specified).
Cash in hand
Headquarters.
Regional Offices.
Imprest Balance (details to be indicated)
Advances (details to be specified item-wise House Building Advance, festival Advance. etc.).
Total Total
iii.
GENERAL PROVIDENT FUND
Receipts PaymentTo Opening Balance
(Details of such investment/ Fixed Deposit Bank-wise/Government Scheme/Bonds to be specified security-wise/bond-wise)
Subscription from members
Recovery of Advances
Interest on investment
General Provident Fund Advance
Part Final withdrawal
Final Settlement
Interest granted to Members.
Establishment charges
Miscellaneous Expenses
Interest recoverable
Suspense receipts refundable.
Suspense (Imprest) Payment Recoverable
Closing Balance (details to be specified as in the case of Opening Balance)
Total Total
Analysis of closing Balance
Subscription Account
suspense receipts refundable
Excess of interest receipts over payments
Less:
Suspense Payments recoverable
Interest Accrued and credited but not received.
Finance Officer Secretary Executive Director
FORM ‘B’See rule 29(1)
Income and Expenditure Account of the National Oilseeds and vegetable oils development Board for the year ending 31st March 19-------
Previous Year Figures
Heads of Expenditure Schedule Figure for current year
Figure for previous year
Head of income Schedule Figure for current year
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
To By 1. Administration
(a) Head Office
Salaries
Wages
Travel Expenses
Office Expenses
Rent, Rates & Taxes
Other Charges
(b) Regional Office
Salaries
Wages
Travel Expenses
Office Expenses
Rent , Rates & Taxes
Other charges.
II. Development Schemes
Grants to State Government
(Details to be mentioned by a schedules)
1. Grants received from Government of India
2. Receipts from Publication.
3. (a) Sale of -------
(b) Sale of ------
4. Miscellaneous receipts.
5. Interest on loans.
Excess of Expenditure over income.
Grants to others (details to be mentioned by a schedule)
III. Improvement of Marketing facilities.
IV. Research
V. Extension Activities.
(a). Publicity
(b). Others.
VI. Statistics.
VII. Works.
VIII. Miscellaneous
IX. Machinery & Equipment
X. Material & Supply
XI. Insurance
Excess of income over
Expenditure. Total Total
Finance Officer Secretary Executive Director
FORM ‘C’See Rule 29(1)
NATIONAL OILSEEDS AND VEGETABLE OILS DEVELOPMENT BOARDBalance Sheet as on
Figure for previous
year
Liabilities Schedule Figure for current
year
Figure for previous year
Assets Schedule Figure for current year
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Loan from Central Govt.
Balance as on
Add. Loan taken during the year
Less payments Net
Staff Provident Fund
Less GPF pending investment Net Amount
Outstanding
Rent, rates & taxes
GPF-Interest Investment
Addl –Emoluments Compulsory Deposits
Other items (details to be
Closing Balance
Permanent Advance
Head Office
Regional Offices
Other Advances
Head Office
Regional Offices
Cash in hand
Head Office
Regional Offices
Cash at Bank
Head Office
specified)
Pre-paid receipts
Excess of Income over
Expenditure
Excess of Income over expenditure as per last
Balance Sheet
Add Excess of income
Over expenditure during the current year
Regional Offices
Outstanding receipts
Private Trunk Call Charges
Interest on loans receivable
Other receipts
Pre-paid expenditure
Telephone rent
Building rent
Other items (Details to be specified)
Loans if any
Advances
Conveyance advance.
Festival Advance
Flood Advance.
House Building
Advance
Advance in gratuity
Pay Advance
I. A. advance
Other advances
Staff Provident Fund
Investments
Other Assets.
Building
Car Jeeps
Other Vehicle
Furniture & Fittings
Implements & equipments
Total
Grand Total
Total
Grand Total
Finance Officer Secretary Executive Director
[No. File No.1-53/85-CA.VI]
_________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, 1984, Part – II, section 3 (i) Sl. No.66.1* Added by GSR. 94 (E), dated 23.2.1990
///
Joint Board identifies priority focus areas under the Indo-US Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture
Under the Indo-US Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture Education, Research, Services and Commercial Linkages, a joint Board has been constituted. The Board has identified priority focus areas namely:
q Education, Learning Resources, Curriculum Development and Training,
q Food Processing, Use of Byproducts and Bio-fuels
q Biotechnology
q Water Management
A detailed Work Plan has also been drawn up.
The third meeting of the Board is scheduled in the second week of June in Washington, USA. Wide consultations are being held by the Indian Council of Agricultural research with different stakeholders in this regard. As part of the process, ICAR organized an interface last week in New Delhi with the private sector in which industry associations, industry representatives including important individual players
participated. The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia chaired this important interaction. Dr. Ahluwalia emphasized the need for Indian industry to be far more involved in this Knowledge Initiative and called on the participants to identify the thrust and priorities which should be brought upfront in the Board’s deliberations in relation to research, human resource development and commercial linkages.
The industry representative observed that the Initiative is welcome, timely and has many positive features. However, the features of Indian farming have to be kept in view while designing the activities under the Initiative. The Indian market also has to be kept in view and value addition through processing and packaging should receive much attention. There should be more linkage of ICAR with Industry. The suggestion of the industry to have an internal advisory committee of about 10 to 12 members representing private sector and other stakeholders to provide feed back and advise for Indo-US Knowledge Initiative was appreciated. There was suggestion on the need for food safety regulation and implementation, protecting the IPRs etc. It was clarified that IPR portfolio management would essentially be as per the stipulations and provisions of National Law as per Indian Patents Act and Plant Varieties Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act. Obviously, this would be on mutually agreed terms. On genetic resources, it emerged clearly that there is no exchange of germplasm as envisaged in the Work Plan. Moreover multilateral system is already in place. It emerged that far more stronger partnership between public and private institutions would highly be rewarding in commercialization of a number of technologies.
For enhancing productivity, profitability and well-being of the Indian farmers, it was felt that far greater emphasis could be laid on processing, product development, and value addition. It emerged that biotechnology would play pivotal role and transgenics could be highly rewarded on which much needed far more awareness be brought in the public so that the benefit could be appreciated on a changing time scale. The industry also suggested technical backstopping from research system on SPS compliance.
Acts
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (Act No. 1 of 1937) (as amended up to 1986)
An Act to provide for the grading and marking of agricultural and other produce .
Whereas it is expedient to provide for the grading and marking of agricultural and other produce; it is hereby enacted as follows:-
1. Short title and extent
(1) This Act may be called the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
2. Explanations
In this Act, unless the contrary appears from the subject or context,-
(a) "agricultural produce" includes all produce of agriculture or horticulture and all articles of food or drink wholly or partly manufactured from any such produce, and fleeces and the skins of animals;
(b) "counterfeit" has the meaning assigned to that word by Section 28 of the Indian Penal Code (XLV of 1860);
(c) "covering" includes any vessel, box, crate, wrapper, tray or other container;
(d) "grade designation" means a designation prescribed as indicative of the quality of any scheduled article;
(e) "grade designation mark" means a mark prescribed as representing a particular grade designation;
(f) "quality" in relation to any article includes the state and condition of the article;
(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(h) "Scheduled article" means an article included in the Schedule;
(i) An article is said to be marked with a grade designation mark, if the article itself is marked with a grade designation mark or any covering containing or label attached to such article is so marked.
(j) an article is said to be misgraded if :-
(i) the article is not of the quality prescribed for the grade designation with which it is marked;
(ii) the composition of the article offered for grading is altered in any way after a sample has been drawn for analysis and determination of the grade designation of the article in accordance with the rules made under this Act;
(iii) the article is tampered with in any manner; and
(iv) any false claim is made for the quality prescribed for its grade designation, upon the label or through advertisement or in any other manner.
3. Prescription of grade designations
(1) The Central Government may, after previous publication by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters; namely:-
(a) fixing grade designation to indicate the quality of any scheduled article,
(b) defining the quality indicated by every grade designation,
(c) specifying grade designation marks to represent particular grade designations,
(d) authorising a person or a body of persons, subject to any prescribed conditions, to mark with a grade designation mark any article in respect of which such mark has been prescribed or any covering containing or label attached to any such article,
(e) specifying the conditions referred to in clause (d) including in respect of any article conditions as to the manner of marketing, the manner in which the article shall be packed, the type of covering to be used and the quantity by weight, number or otherwise to be included in each covering.
(f) providing for the payment of any expenses incurred in connection with the manufacture or use of any implement necessary for the reproduction of a grade designation mark or with the manufacture or use of any covering or label marked with a grade designation mark or with measures for the control of the quality of articles marked with grade designation marks including testing of samples and inspection of such articles or with any publicity work carried out to promote the sale of any class of such articles.
(g) providing for the confiscation and disposal of produce marked otherwise than in accordance with the prescribed conditions with a grade designation mark,
(h) any other matter which required to be, or may be, prescribed.
(3) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified from or be of no effect as the case may be, so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.
3A. Powers of entry, inspection and search
(1) Any officer of the Central Government or a State Government, or any authority, being an officer of a Gazetted rank or of equivalent rank, authorised by the Central Government, may, if he has reason to believe that any provision of this Act or the rules made thereunder has been, or is being, contravened, enter any premises at any reasonable time and make necessary inspection of, and search for, the agricultural produce in relation which such contravention has been, or is being made.
(2) Every authorisation made under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a warrant referred to in section 93 of the code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
3B. Powers of authorised officer to seize agricultural produce
(1) An officer authorised under sub-section (1) of Section 3-A may seize and detain any agricultural produce in relation to which an offence under this Act or the rules made thereunder is being, or appears to have been committed, or which is intended or likely to be used in the commission of such offence;
Provided that where any agricultural produce seized under this sub-section is subject to speedy or natural decay, the officer so authorised may dispose of such produce in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) The provisions of Section 102 of the code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, shall apply to every seizure made under this section.
4. Penalty for un-authorised marking with grade designation mark
Whoever marks any scheduled article with a grade designation mark, not being authorised to do so by rule made under Section 3, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and fine not exceeding five thousand rupees.
5. Penalty for counterfeiting grade designation mark
Whoever counterfeits any grade designation mark or has in his possession any die, plate or other instrument for the purpose of counterfeiting a grade designation mark, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and fine not exceeding five thousand rupees.
5A. Penalty for selling misgraded articles
Whoever sells any scheduled article which is misgraded shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and fine not exceeding five thousand rupees.
5B. Power to prescribe compulsory grade designations in respect of certain articles
(1) Where the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary in the public interest or for the protection of consumers that any scheduled article or class of articles shall not be sold or distributed except after such article or class of articles is marked with the grade designation mark, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make declaration to that effect.
(2) Any notification issued under sub-section (1) shall specify the area or areas in relation to which the notification shall have effect.
(3) Where a notification under sub-section (1) is issued in respect of any area or areas, no person shall sell or offer to sell or distribute or offer to distribute any scheduled article or class thereof in the area or areas except in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder.
(4) Whoever contravenes the provisions of this section shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and fine not exceeding five thousand rupees.
5C. Institution of prosecution
No Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act except upon a complaint in writing made by –
(a) the Central Government or the State Government or any officer authorised by it in writing; or
(b) the person aggrieved ; or
(c) a recognised consumer association, whether the person aggrieved is a member of that association or not.
Explanation
For the purpose of this section, "recognized consumer association" means a voluntary consumer association registered under the companies Act, 1956, or any other law for the time being in force.
6. Extension of application of Act
The Central Government, after such consultation as it thinks fit of the interests likely to be affected may by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that the provisions of this Act shall apply to an article of agricultural produce not included in the schedule or to an article other than an article of agricultural produce and on the publication of such notification, such article shall be deemed to be included in the schedule.
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1. The Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) act, 1937. (Act No. 1 of 1937)2. The Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Amendment Act, 1942 ( Act No. XIII of 1942).3. The Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Amendment Act, 1943 (Act No. XX of 1943).4.The delegated legislation Provisions (Amendment) Act, 1983.5. The Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Amendment Act, 1986 (No. 76 of 1986).
LIST OF THE GRADING AND MARKING RULES NOTIFIED UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCE (GRADING AND MARKING) ACT, 1937, (AS ON 31-05-2006):
1. General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 2. Tobacco Grading and Marking Rules, 1937 3. Hides Grading and Marking Rules, 1937 4. Skins Grading and Marking Rules, 1937 5. Ghee Grading and Marking Rules, 1938 6. Vanaspati Grading and Marking Rules, 1939 7. Rice Grading and Marking Rules, 1939 8. Creamery Butter Grading and Marking Rules, 1941 9. Sannhemp Grading and Marking Rules, 1942 10. Canned Bottled Fruits and Fruit products Grading and Marking Rules, 1942 11. Sugarcane Gur (Jaggery) Grading and Marking Rules, 1943 12. Bura Grading and Marking Rules, 1943 13. Citrus Fruits Grading and Marking Rules, 1949 14. Lac Grading and Marking Rules, 1950 15. Table Potato Grading and Marking Rules, 1950
16. Arecanuts Grading and Marking Rules, 1952 17. William Pears Grading and Marking Rules, 1953 18. Essential Oils Grading and Marking Rules, 1954 19. Vegetable oils Grading and Marking Rules, 1955 20. Curry Powder Grading and Marking Rules, 1956 21. Cashew Kernels Grading and Marking Rules, 1960 22. Goat Hair Grading and Marking Rules, 1960 23. Wheat Atta Grading and Marking Rules, 1961 24. Myrobalans Grading and Marking Rules, 1962 25. Seed Potato Grading and Marking Rules, 1963 26. Tendu (Bidi Wrapper) Grading and Marking Rules, 1963 27. Table Potato(for export) Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 28. Waterchestnuts Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 29. Ambadi Seed Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 30. Poppy Seed Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 31. Palmyra Fibre Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 32. Rape and Mustard Seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 33. Taramira Seed Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 34. Animal Casings Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 35. Senna Leaves and Pods Grading and Marking Rules, 1964 36. Groundnut Grading and Marking Rules, 1965 37. Tapioca Products (Animal Feed) Grading and Marking Rules, 1965 38. Walnuts Grading and Marking Rules, 1966 39. Cereals Grading Rules, 1966 40. Table Eggs Grading and Marking Rules, 1968 41. Bristles Grading and Marking Rules, 1969 42. Ajowain Seeds (Whole) Grading and Marking Rules, 1970 43. Honey Grading and Marking Rules, 1970
44. Cotton Grading and Marking Rules, 1971 45. Seedless Tamarind Grading and Marking Rules, 1971 46. Dried Edible Mushrooms Grading and Marking Rules, 1972 47. Saffron Grading and Marking Rules, 1973 48. Sheekakai Powder Grading and Marking Rules, 1973 49. Wool Grading and Marking Rules, 1975 50. Besan (Gram Flour) Grading and Marking Rules, 1975 51. Aloe Fibre Grading and Marking Rules, 1975 52. Kangra Tea Grading and Marking Rules, 1976 53. Coconut Grading and Marking Rules, 1976 54. Raw Meat (Chilled or Frozen) Grading and Marking Rules, 1977 55. Jute Grading and Marking Rules, 1978 56. Basmati Rice (Export) Grading and Marking Rules, 1979 57. Suji & Maida Grading and Marking Rules, 1979 58. Vegetable Oil Cakes (Expressed or solvent extracted) Grading and Marking Rules, 1979 59. Papain Grading and Marking Rules, 1979 60. Agar-Agar Grading and Marking Rules, 1979 61. Tapioca Sago Grading and Marking Rules, 1980 62. Raw Cashewnut Grading and Marking Rules, 1980 63. Bread Wheat Flour Grading and Marking Rules, 1981 64. Hand picked Selected Groundnuts Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 65. Isubgol Husk Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 66. Mahua Seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 67. Sal Seed Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 68. Guar Gum Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 69. Gum Karaya Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 70. Linseed Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 71. Castor Seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1982
72. Catechu Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 73. Niger Seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 74. Sesame Seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 75. Safflower Seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 76. Sunflower Seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 77. Cotton Seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1982 78. Dried Tamarind Grading and Marking Rules, 1983 79. Tamarind Seeds and powder Grading and Marking Rules, 1983 80. Oranges (Export) Grading and Marking Rules, 1983 81. Compounded Asafoetida Grading and Marking Rules, 1984 82. Apples Grading and Marking Rules, 1984 83. Tobacco (commercial) Grading Rules, 1987 84. Blended Edible Vegetable Oils Grading and Marking Rules,1991 85. Soyabean Grading and Marking Rules, 1993 86. Desiccated Coconut Grading and Marking Rules, 1994 87. Fat Spread Grading and Marking Rules, 1994 88. Nutmeg Grading and Marking Rules, 1995 89. Tejpat Grading and Marking Rules, 1996 90. Cocoa powder Grading and Marking Rules, 1996 91. Cocoa Beans Grading and Marking Rules, 1996 92. Clove Grading and Marking Rules, 1996 93. Mace Grading and Marking Rules, 1997 94. Large Cardamom Grading and Marking Rules, 1998 95. Mixed Masala Grading and Marking Rules, 2000 96. Wheat Porridge Grading and Marking Rules, 2000 97. Caraway & Black Caraway Grading & Marking Rules, 2000 98. Cereals Grading and Marking Rules, 2000 99. Roasted Bengal Gram (split) Grading & Marking Rules, 2003
100. Sundried Raw Mango slices and powder Grading & Marking Rules, 2003
101. Vermicelli, Macaroni and Spaghetti Grading & Marking Rules, 2003 102. Pulses Grading and Marking Rules, 2004.
103. Fruits & Vegetables Grading & Marking Rules, 2004* 104. Makhana Grading and Marking Rules, 2004 105.Spices Grading and Marking Rules, 2005. ** * In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937), and in supersession, of (1) the Grapes Grading and Marking Rules, 1937, (2) the Plums Grading and Marking Rules, 1938, (3) the Onion Grading and Marking Rules, 1964, (4) the Banana Grading and Marking Rules, 1980, (5) the Mangoes Grading and Marking Rules, 1981, (6) the Pineapple Grading and Marking Rules, 1982, (7) the Guavas Grading and Marking Rules, 1996 and (8) the Garlic Grading and Marking Rules, 2002. Fruits and Vegetables Grading and Marking Rules, 2004 was published vide GSR 220 dated14th June, 2004, on pages 1209 -1285 dated 26th. June, 2004 in the Gazette of India Part II Section 3, sub section (i). ** In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 ( 1 of 1937) and in supersession of (1) the Chillies Grading and Marking Rules, 1962 (2) the Cardamom Grading and Marking Rules, 1962 (3) the Turmeric Grading and Marking Rules, 1964, (4) the Chillies powder Grading and Marking Rules, 1964, (5) the Ginger Grading and Marking Rules, 1964, (6) the Fennel (whole and ground), Fenugreek (whole and ground) and Celery seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1967,(7) the Pepper Grading and Mrking Rules, 1969, (8) the Coriander Grading and Marking Rules, 1997, (9) the Cumin seeds Grading and Marking Rules, 1997 and (10) the Large Cardamom Grading and Marking Rules, 1998. The Spices Grading and Marking Rules, 2005 was published vide GSR 257 dated 21st July, 2005 appearing on pages 943-991 dated 30.7.2005 in the Gazette of India, Part II, Section 3, Sub section (i).
General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 (As amended upto 1991)
General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988
The Directorate of Marketing & Inspection under the Department of Rural Development in the Ministry of Agriculture is vested with the responsibility to enforce and implement the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (as amended in 1986). As per Section 3 of the above Act, the General Grading and Making Rules, 1988 have been notified in which the detailed procedures of licensing, setting up of laboratories, consumer protection measures etc. have been given.
These Rules are reproduced below:
(DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT)
New Delhi, the 17th May 1989
G.S.R. 434- Whereas the draft General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 were published, as required by section 3 of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937) under the notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Rural Development) GSR No. 206 dated 26-3-88 in the Gazette of India, Part-II Section-3, Sub-Section (i) dated 26th March, 1988 inviting objections and suggestions from all the persons likely to be affected thereby , before the expiry of the period of forty-five days from the date on which copies of the Gazette, containing the said notification are made available to the public;
And, whereas, the said Gazette was made available to the public on 19-4-88;
And, whereas, the objections/suggestions received in respect of the said draft rules have been considered by the Central Government;
Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section-3 of the said Act and in supersession of the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1937, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:-
1. Short title and application :- (1) These rules may be called the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988.
(2) They shall apply to all articles of agricultural and other produce included in the Schedule to the Act.
(3)They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the official gazette.
2. Definitions :- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires:-
(a) " Act" means the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937);
(b) "Agmark grading" means grading of an article in accordance with the grade standards prescribed under the provisions of the Act;
(c) "Agmark label" means the label specifying name of commodity, grade designation and bearing prescribed insignia;
(d) "Agmark replica" means a grade designation mark in lieu of Agmark label consisting of prescribed design with the word "AGMARK" and the Certificate of Authorisation number;
(e) "Agricultural Marketing Adviser" means the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India;
(f) "Authorised packer" means a person or a body of persons who has been granted Certificate of Authorisation to grade and mark an article under provisions of the Act;
(g) "Authorised premises" means the premises specified in the Certificate of Authorisation where alone the grade designation marks may be applied;
(h) "Approved Chemist" means Chemist approved by the competent authority to undertake Agmark grading;
(i) "Approved laboratory" means laboratory approved by the competent authority for testing of an article for Agmark grading;
(j) "Central Agmark Laboratory" means the apex laboratory of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection;
(k) "Certificate of Authorisation" means a certificate in prescribed proforma issued under these rules authorising a person or body of persons to grade and mark an article with grade designation mark;
(l) "Certificate of Agmark Grading" means a certificate in prescribed proforma issued by an authorised Officer in respect of Agmark graded consignment meant for export;
(m) "Consumer" means a person or a body of persons who has purchased the article for personal, domestic or household use or consumption;
(n) "Directorate" means Directorate of Marketing and Inspection of the Government of India;
(o) "Marking" includes stamping grade designation mark on an article or affixation of Agmark labels or printing/stencilling of Agmark replica on the covering or container;
(p) "Prescribed" means prescribed under Rules of instructions issued under the provisions of the Act;
(q) "Regional Agmark Laboratory" means a laboratory set up by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection for testing scheduled articles;
(r) "Trade Brand Label" includes private marks, brand, label, pictorial representation, used or proposed to be used by an authorised packer; and
(s) "Date of expiry" means the date by which the product should be consumed.
3. Grant of Certificate of Authorisation :- (1) Any person or body of persons desirous of being authorised to grade and mark an article under the provisions of the Act shall apply to the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other officer of the Central or State Government authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser.
(2) An application for authorisation shall be accompanied by:-
(a) Proprietorship declaration or partnership deed or Memorandum and Articles of Association or Bye-laws of the Society, as the case may be;
(b) Blue print of the premises proposed to be used to grade and mark the commodity;
(c) Ownership declaration on non-judicial stamp paper about the premises or the consent of the owner of the premises;
(d) Consent of approved laboratory, grinding mill etc., wherever applicable;
(e) Specimen copies of trade brand label, if any, alongwith declaration about ownership of the trade brand label and an undertaking to use the same, on permission, for Agmark graded product only;
(f) Prescribed fee, if any, for grant of Certificate of Authorisation; and
(g) Any other particulars as may be specified from time to time.
(3) An application for authorisation shall be signed by the proprietor, partner or the Managing Director of the firm or by any other person authorised to sign any declaration on behalf of the firm. The name and designation of the person signing the application shall be clearly recorded in the application.
(4) The application for authorisation shall be submitted through-
(a) the concerned State authority and/or office of the Directorate in respect of grading for domestic market ; and
(b) the nearest office of the Directorate in respect of grading for export.
(5) On receipt of the application for authorisation, the concerned authority shall make necessary arrangements for verification of the bonafides of the applicant and inspection of the premises, laboratory, processing units etc., and on being satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to receive the Certificate of Authorisation, shall forward the application with recommendation for issue of Certificate of Authorisation to the competent Authority.
(6) A Certificate of Authorisation shall be issued to the applicant by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any officer of the Central or State Government authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser.
(7) Each Certificate of Authorisation shall state-
(a) the name, style and address of the authorised packer;
(b) the article to which alone the grade designation marks may, under the Certificate, be applied;
(c) the premises at which alone the grade designation marks may be applied;
(d) the period for which the Certificate is valid; and
(e) the name of approved laboratory, processing unit, trade brand label, etc., wherever applicable.
(8) It shall be the condition of every certificate of authorisation-
(a) that grade designation marks shall be applied only to the article (s) mentioned in the Certificate of Authorisation, during the validity period and at the premises therein mentioned:
(b) that during the operation of the certificate, the authorised packer shall, at all reasonable times, give access to the premises named therein to any person duly authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser and shall provide him facilities for ascertaining the marking is correctly performed;
(c) that the authorised packer shall keep a record of the number of packages marked with each grade designation mark and will permit any person duly authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to examine the record;
(d) that the authorised packer shall permit any person duly authorised by the Agricultural marketing Adviser to open and inspect any package bearing a grade designation mark or to take samples of any graded produce, provided that all samples shall be paid for;
(e) that any person duly authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser may cancel or remove a grade designation mark from any produce, should such produce be found to be not conforming to the definition of quality prescribed for the grade designation assigned;
(f) that all the rules made under the Act and all instructions relating to grading and marking of an article under provisions of the Act which may be issued by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or the officer authorised by him / her from time to time shall be observed;
(g) that the authorised packer shall be responsible to prohibit the sale and arrange for withdrawing from market, after the date of expiry, wherever prescribed all the packages graded and marked by him;
(h) that the authorised packer shall be responsible if any person representing the firm indulges in any malpractices or obstructs the authorised officer in discharge of his official duties; and
(i) that the authorised packer shall hand over the Certificate of Authorisation to Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any officer authorised by him / her on demand in writing at any time and obtain a proper receipt therefor.
4. Renewal of Certificate of Authorisation : - (1) The Certificate of Authorisation shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of issue and thereafter, will be renewed on the basis of grading performance and on application by the packer, for subsequent financial years.
(2) The application for renewal of the certificate shall be submitted in the prescribed form alongwith the certificate of authorisation and fee for renewal, as may be prescribed not later than 30 days before expiry of the validity and no application for renewal of Certificate of Authorisation shall be entertained beyond 30 days of expiry of validity period.
(3) On receipt of the application for renewal and after verifying the grading performance and payment of Government dues, the competent authority, namely, Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any officer of the Directorate or State Government authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser in this behalf, will renew the Certificate of Authorisation for a period of five years at a time and return the same to the packer.
(4) The authorised packer, having submitted the application for renewal within the prescribed period, and unless specifically informed otherwise, may continue the grading beyond validity period of the certificate in anticipation of its renewal.
(5) If the authorised packer is not desirous of continuing grading work, the Certificate of Authorisation shall be returned within one month after expiry of validity period to the issuing authority for cancellation.
5. Changes in the Certificate of Authorisation :- (1) Any change in the name , style or address of the authorised packer shall be communicated, alongwith the Certificate of Authorisation, to the certificate issuing authority, within a period of 30 days, for incorporating the same in the certificate.
(2) If the authorised packer desires any change in the premises, an application alongwith the requisite documents shall be submitted to the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other officer of the Central or State Government authorised in this behalf by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser, who after ascertaining suitability of proposed premises shall record the same in the certificate.
6. Issue of duplicate Certificate of Authorisation :- If the Certificate of Authorisation is damaged, mutilated or lost, the authorised packer shall apply, in the prescribed form, to the Certificate issuing authority for issue of duplicate certificate alongwith the damaged / mutilated certificate or an affidavit in prescribed form and copy of the F.I.R. for lost certificate and prescribed fee, if any. A duplicate certificate shall accordingly be issued to the authorised packer.
7. Suspension or Cancellation of Certificate of Authorisation :- (1) Any Certificate of Authorisation may be suspended or cancelled by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other officer
of the Directorate or State Government authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser in this behalf, if he is satisfied,-
(a) that the authorised packer has not applied the grade designation marks correctly; or
(b) that the authorised packer has contravened any of the provisions of the Act ;or
(c) that the authorised packer has violated any rule or has failed to comply with any of the instructions issued under the provisions of the Act.
(2) No Certificate of Authorisation shall be suspended or cancelled, unless;
(a) a notice in writing has been given to the authorised packer, at the address stated in the Certificate of Authorisation, conveying the intention to do so stating the grounds for the proposed action; and
(b) giving him an opportunity to furnish the explanation, if any, within a period of 14 days from the date of receipt of the notice.
(3) If after careful consideration of the explanation furnished, if any, by the authorised packer, the competent authority decides to suspend or cancel the Certificate, the concerned packer shall be so intimated with instructions to discontinue forthwith grading and marking of the commodity and to surrender Certificate of Authorisation, grading and marking equipments, Agmark labels and containers bearing Agmark replica etc. to the Directorate.
8. Approval of laboratory :- (1) In respect of commodity which requires laboratory testing for quality assessment, the applicant/ authorised packer shall , with the approval of Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other officer of the Directorate or State Government authorised by the Agricultural Marketing adviser in this behalf, either-
(a) set up his own laboratory as per prescribed norms, or
(b) have access to an approved State Grading Laboratory or Cooperative/Association Laboratory or a Private Commercial Laboratory.
(2) Private commercial laboratory shall be accorded approval for grading and marking of an article under provisions of the Act:
Provided there is no State Grading Laboratory at the centre and/or on specific recommendations of the concerned state authorities.
Provided further that the owner of the private commercial laboratory executes a surety bond or gives security deposit for an amount as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) Approval of a laboratory, whether packer’s own laboratory, or State grading laboratory , or Cooperative/Association laboratory, or private commercial laboratory, may be withdrawn by the competent authority if there are sufficient reasons to believe that the grading and marking is not correctly done and or that the rules and instructions issued thereof are not followed provided that a 14 days' notice, in writing, shall be given to the owner of the laboratory, and an opportunity given for showing cause why the approval should not be withdrawn.
9. Training and approval of chemist :- (1) A chemist may be approved by approved by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other officer of the Directorate or the State Government authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser for grading and marking of an article under provisions of the Act provided-
(a) he/she possesses the minimum prescribed qualification; and
(b) he/she successfully completes the prescribed training in the analysis and procedure for grading and marking of the commodity.
(2) It shall be a condition of approval of Chemist:-
(a) that the approved Chemist shall strictly follow the instructions issued for inspection, sampling, analysis, packing, marking and sealing of the article;
(b) that the approved Chemist shall maintain grading record in the prescribed manner and ensure timely submission of the periodical returns as may be specified from time to time; and
(c) that the approved Chemist shall be responsible for safe custody and proper accounting of Agmark labels, Agmark replica bearing containers, sealing pliers, etc., and for realization and timely remittance of Government dues.
(3) The services of an approved Chemist shall not be terminated without prior approval of the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other duly authorised officer, in this behalf.
(4) Resignation tendered by an approved Chemist may be accepted only after written intimation to the concerned Regional Officer of the Directorate and after getting a clearance from that officer in respect of surrendering Agmark labels and sealing pliers, etc., by the Chemist alongwith uptodate grading returns to the Directorate.
(5) The approval accorded to the Chemist may be withdrawn by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other officer duly authorised in this behalf if there are reasons to believe that the Chemist has failed to comply with the prescribed instructions or procedures for grading and marking or violated any of the conditions of approval:
Provided that an opportunity shall be given to the approved Chemist for showing cause as to why the approval should not be withdrawn.
10. Grade designation marks :- (1) Grade designation marks shall consist of Agmark labels of different types, namely, tie-on-labels, paste-on-labels, benderol labels, etc. Each Agmark label shall carry letters indicating series and serial number.
(2) The State authorities and the approved laboratories shall obtain their requirements of Agmark labels from Directorate.
(3)Use of "Agmark Replica" in lieu of Agmark labels will be allowed only by such authorised packers to whom specific permission to this effect has been granted by the Agriculture Marketing Adviser or an officer authorised by him in this behalf.
(4) The permission to use "Agmark Replica" in lieu of Agmark labels may, on receipt of application in the prescribed form, be granted provided that the applicant has been holder of Certificate ofAuthorisation for at least two preceding years and during which the grading performance has been satisfactory and has used not less than 50 thousand Agmark labels per annum. However, depending on the merit of individual case, these conditions may be relaxed.
(5) The "Agmark replica" bearing containers shall be printed and/or manufactured only by such printing press or manufacturing unit which has been permitted for the purpose by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer authorised by him in this behalf.
(6) It shall be the condition for use of Agmark Replica that the detailed instructions issued for the purpose shall be strictly adhered to and any violation thereof shall lead to withdrawal of permission so granted without any notice.
11. Packing and marking :- (1) An article graded in accordance with the provisions of the Act, shall be packed in the manner and using the type of packaging material and the pack sizes, by weight or number as prescribed for the said article:
Provided that relaxation / modification in the mode of packing of a graded article may be allowed , on receipt of written request from the authorised packer, by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf, to meet the specific requirement of the buyer.
(2) Every package containing Agmark graded article will, in addition to the grade designation mark, carry such details like Certificate of Authorisation, number, lot / batch number, date of packing, place of packing, net weight etc. as prescribed for the said article.
(3) Private marks, if any, applied on the packages of Agmark graded article shall not represent quality or grade different from that indicated by the grade designation mark affixed thereon.
(4) In respect of such articles where expiry period has been prescribed, the ‘date of expiry’ shall be prominently marked on the packages.
12. Suspension of Grading under Agmark :- With-holding issue of grade designation marks- The issue or use of grade designation marks i.e. Agmark labels or Agmark replica bearing containers, may be with-held or withdrawn by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or a person authorised by him in this behalf without any notice, for such a period as he may consider expedient in the interest of better marketing if he is satisfied or has reasons to believe that the authorised packer is not applying or is not likely to apply, grade designation marks correctly.
13. Payment of Charges / fees :- The authorised packer shall pay such charges as may be prescribed by the Central Government from time to time towards the expenses incurred in connection with the-
(a) grant and periodical renewal of Certificate of Authorisation ;
(b) issue of duplicate Certificate of Authorisation;
(c) training of Chemists employed by the authorised packer; and
(e) measures for enforcing the quality control of scheduled articles marked with grade designation mark including testing of samples and inspection of such articles; or
(f) with any publicity work carried out to promote the sale of any class of articles.
14. Power to obtain information :- Every authorised packer shall furnish, on demand, to the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or any other duly authorised officer such information, return or report in respect of any of the scheduled articles which the authority may consider necessary for carrying out the provisions of the Act.
15.Certificate of Agmark grading :- (1) Every consignment of a scheduled article graded and marked, under the provisions of the Act, for export shall be covered by a Certificate of Agmark Grading which shall be issued in prescribed form on request, to the authorised packer by an officer authorised in this behalf by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser.
(2) In the event of sale of Agmark graded consignment to an exporter who is not an authorised packer, the Certificate of Agmark Grading may, on written request of the authorised packer, be endorsed infavour of the exporter provided-
(a) that the authorised packer furnish an undertaking about the responsibility of the graded packages even after sale; and
(b) that the exporter furnishes a declaration that the graded consignment has been examined and found to be conforming to the quality requirements of the importer as specified in the contract.
16. Redressal of Consumers' grievances and complaints:- (1) Complaints and grievances of the consumers in respect of Agmark graded products shall be made to the Agricultural Marketing Adviser giving full particulars regarding Agmark label number, place of packing, trade brand etc., of the concerned product and the name and address of the seller.
(2) Wherever the complaint is found to be genuine, the Agricultural Marketing Adviser or an officer duly authorised in this behalf shall, without prejudice to other action as may be taken for misgrading etc., direct the concerned authorised packer and or the seller of graded product, as may be decided for free-of-cost replacement of the product to the complainant within 30 days of the issue of such direction.
(3) The complainant, if so desires, may also get the sample analysed from any other laboratory recognised by the Directorate.
(4)In case he is not satisfied with the result of the investigation of the Directorate, the complainant may ask for analysis of the sample by the Central Agmark Laboratory, whose decision shall be final.
17. Norms for compensation :- (1) Wherever an Agmark graded produce is found to be not conforming to the definition of the quality prescribed for the grade designation marks on the produce and the grade designation marks are cancelled or removed from such produce belonging to the distributors and not to authorised packers, the latter shall, when so directed by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser, make good to the former any loss sustained as a result of the removal of grade designation mark, the loss being estimated on the basis of the additional value that the properly graded produce would have obtained in the market over and above the current market value of the corresponding quantity of the ungraded produce.
(2) In respect of complaint of an individual consumer where free of cost replacement may not be possible for any reason whatsoever, the authorised packer and/or the seller of graded product, as may be decided, shall, when so directed by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser, reimburse to the complainant the actual price paid as per cash memo or on the basis of current market price of comparable quality and corresponding quantity of the produce.
18. Powers of entry, inspection and search :- Any officer duly authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser may, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3 (A) of the Act, enter any premises at any reasonable time, and inspect in storage, processing, packaging and transit and search for the Agricultural produce against any contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder.
19. Seizure, detention and disposal :- (1) An officer duly authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser may, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3 (B) of the Act, seize any article in relation to which the Officer has reason to believe that any provision of the Act or rules made thereunder has been or is being or appears to have been contravened.
(2) The provisions of Section 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, relating to seizure, shall apply to every seizure made under sub-rule (1).
(3) If the authorised officer finds it not practicable to seize any such article, the said officer may serve on the owner or authorised representative of the owner of the concerned premises or establishment, a written order that he/she shall not remove or part with or otherwise deal with the article except with the previous permission of the said officer.
(4) If the authorised officer is of the opinion that the article so seized or detained is subject to speedy or natural decay or it is otherwise expedient in the public interest to do so, he may dispose of such article in the manner as prescribed, namely:-
(a) The authorised officer shall prepare a detailed report in respect of the consignment/packages article seized or detained indicating the date, place, name and address of person from whom the material is seized/or detained, name of the commodity, number of packages, size of packing, mode of packing, particulars of trade brand label/private trade marks on the containers, particulars of the grade designation marks affixed on the packages, etc., and obtain signature of the person concerned and two witnesses on the report;
(b) Out of the total packages so seized/detained, the officer may select, at random, three packages and get the same suitably sealed, individual and separately, bearing signatures of the officer, the owner of authorised representative of the owner of premises/establishments and two witnesses. One sealed package shall be handed over to the owner or his authrorisedrepresentative under proper acknowledgement and the remaining two sealed packages shall be retained by the said officer for proceeding under the Act;
(c) Where the article is seized for suspected counterfeiting of grade designation marks, attracting action under section 5 of the Act or suspected unauthorised marking with grade designation mark, attracting action under section 4 of the Act, the said officer may, after completing action as per (a) and (b) above, allow the remaining containers/packages to be opened in such a manner that the grade designation marks affixed on the containers/packages remain intact and the contents thereof may be returned to the concerned person from whom the consignment is seized. The empty containers bearing the grade designation mark shall be taken in custody by the said officer for proceeding under the Act;
(d) Where the consignment seized or detained has been declared or suspected to be "misgraded", attracting action under Section 5(A) of the Act, the officer may, after completing action as prescribed under (a) and (b) above, get the grade designation marks and seals removed from the remaining packages, and return the packages or contents thereof to the person from whom seized. The grade designation marks and seals or the empty containers with the grade designation marks and seals or the empty containers with the grade designation marks, printed thereon shall be retained by the officer for proceeding under the Act;
(e) Where the Agmark graded packages are seized from the market for being sold after the lapse of the expiry period indicated thereon, the authorised officer may serve a written order on the concerned person not to sell the said packages and issue a registered notice to the concerned authorised packer to withdraw the said packages from the market immediately or if the concerned person from whom the packages are seized, so desires, the officer may remove the grade designation marks from all the packages so seized/detained and thereafter return such packages to the concerned person from whom they were seized.
20. Appeal :- (1) An appeal may be preferred to the Agricultural Marketing Adviser within 15 days from the date of decision of the concerned competent authority by the person aggrieved by the said decision.
(2) The Agricultural Marketing Adviser may call for such documents from the concerned authority and may after such enquiry as considered necessary pass suitable orders which shall be final and binding on all parties concerned;
Provided in the cases where Agricultural Marketing Adviser is the competent authority, the appellate authority will be the Central Government.
[No. 21-24/87-M-II]
SARALA GOPALAN, Jt. Secy.
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Note: The amendments notified in the Gazette of India Part II, Sec. 3, Sub-section (i) under G.S.R. No. 671 dated 3-11-90 and (ii) G.S.R No. 621 (E) dated 10-10-91 have been duly incorporated in these General Grading and Marking Rules.
Promotion of Standardisation and Grading of Agricultural and Allied Produce
Commodity Coverage : 164 Number.
Quality Grading and Certification for :
Export DomesticTrade
Farm Level Grading :
Grading at Producer's Level.
Quality Certification Mark : AGMARKActs as : Third Party Guarantee to Quality Certified.Legal Backup : Agricultural Produce(Grading and Marking ) Act, 1937 as ammended in 1986.
Agricultural Produce Grading and Marking Act, 1937 Schedule Appended to AP (G&M) Act 1937 General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 Commodity Grading and Marking Rules List of commodities whose Agmark Grade Standards have been covered under AP(G&M)
Act 1937 Manual on Standards of Paddy Manual on Standards of Wheat
AGMARK STANDARDS
Pulses Cereals, 1966 Cereals, 2001 Essential Oils Makhana Vegetable Oils Fruits & Vegetables Roasted Bengal Gram Vermicelli, Macroni & Spaghetti
Application for grant of C.A for Grading & Marking of different commodiites for Internal and Export grading (Proforma-I)
a. Particulars to be furnished with the application for C.A (Proforma-II) b. Affidavit to be furnished alongwith application (Proforma-III) c. Consent letter of the Approved Grading Laboratory (Proforma-IV) d. Application for renewal of C.A (Proforma –V)
List of documents to be furnished alongwith the application for grant of C.A for Internal and Export grading Processing Fee for grant/renewal of C.A and other permissions related to grading Training Charges of Chemist
Application for permission to Printing Press to print Agmark Replica (Proforma-I)a. Particulars to be furnished with application for permission of the Printing Press
(Proforma-II) b. Affidavit to be furnished alongwith application (Proforma-III).c. Application for renewal of permission to Printing Press for Printing of Agmark
Replica (Proforma-IV)
Agmark Grading Charges for Domestic and Export Grading Certification of Fruits & Vegetables for Export
Instructions for certfication of fruits and vegetables Cotton Classing Scheme for Grading Testing, Research and Standardisation Facilities Analysis of Samples of Agricultural Commodities in Regional Agmark Laboratories on
Payment Basis Addresses of Regional Agmark Laboratories Common Adultrants/ Contaminants in Food and Simple Screening Tests for their
detection. Guidelines for establishing Grading Laboratories for Foodgrains, Cereals, Oilseeds and
Spices
Codex Standards PFA Standards
Ministry of Agriculture (External website that opens in a new window)
This section provides important links and information on topics related to the policies and important information on the Agriculture sector. Below is a selection of links to various educational institutions, departments as well as links to important government wide programs or initiatives.
Important information on the Agriculture Sector
Ministry
Ministry of Agriculture - External website that opens in a new window
Departments
Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) - External website that opens in a new window
Department of Agriculture and Co-operation - External website that opens in a new window
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying - External website that opens in a new window
Directorates
Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) - External website that opens in a new window
Attached Offices
Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage - External website that opens in a new window
Subordinate Offices
All India Soil and Land Use Survey Organisation (AISLUS) - External website that opens in a new window
Aquaculture Authority - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Enggineering Training (CIFNET) - External website that opens in a new window
Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development (DCCD) - External website that opens in a new window
Directorate of Rice Development, Patna - External website that opens in a new window
Autonomous Bodies
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) - External website that opens in a new window
National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM) - External website that opens in a new window
Boards
Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee - External website that opens in a new window
Coconut Development Board - External website that opens in a new window
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) - External website that opens in a new window
National Horticulture Board (NHB) - External website that opens in a new window
National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board (NOVOD) - External website that opens in a new window
Commissions
National Commission on Farmers - External website that opens in a new window
Councils
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - External website that opens in a new window
PSUs and Joint Ventures
State Farms Corporation of India Limited (SFCI) - External website that opens in a new window
Divisions/Units/Wings/Branches...
Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Chittoor - External website that opens in a new window
Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Shimla - External website that opens in a new window
Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Avian Research Institute (CARI) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute for Arid Horticulture (CIAH) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF)
Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Directorate of Maize Research (DMR) - External website that opens in a new window
Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR) - External website that opens in a new window
ICAR Research Complex, Goa - External website that opens in a new window
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) - External website that opens in a new window
Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) - External website that opens in a new window
Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR) - External website that opens in a new window
Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) - External website that opens in a new window
Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR) - External website that opens in a new window
Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) - External website that opens in a new window
Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) - External website that opens in a new window
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Babhaleshwar, Maharashtra - External website that opens in a new window
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Baramati, Maharashtra - External website that opens in a new window
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar - External website that opens in a new window
Library and Bioinformatics Centre, CPCRI - External website that opens in a new window
National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) - External website that opens in a new window
National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) - External website that opens in a new window
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) - External website that opens in a new window
National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NCAP) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Agroforestry (NRCAF) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Cashew (NRCC) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Grapes (NRCG) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Groundnut (NRCG) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (NRCMAP) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Oil Palm (NRCOP) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Orchids (NRCO) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Weed Science (NRCWS) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre for Women in Agriculture (NRCWA) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) - External website that opens in a new window
National Research Centre on Yak (NRCYAK) - External website that opens in a new window
Plant Quarantine Organisation of India (PQOI) - External website that opens in a new window
Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore - External website that opens in a new window
Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS) - External website that opens in a new window
Water Technology Centre for Eastern Region (WTCER)
Others
Agricultural Resources Information System (AgRIS) - External website that opens in a new window
Agriculture Marketing Information System Network (AGMARKNET) - External website that opens in a new window
Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) - External website that opens in a new window
Department of Agriculture and Co-operation Network (DACNET) - External website that opens in a new window
Integrated Fisheries Project - External website that opens in a new window
National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) - External website that opens in a new window
National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP)
National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) - External website that opens in a new window
National Horticulture Mission - External website that opens in a new window
Networking of Social Scientists
To be continued…..various sectors-2
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