“This (2010) will be one of the best years, which will provide a bumper crop to the country,” said Mr. Pawar. “2008 was one of the years, which the country got a maximum production. Though there is a setback in Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of West Bengal in paddy crop, but still this year, total paddy production will be much more than last year and it will be somewhat near or little more than 2008,” he added.

The minister attributed the jump in production to the increase in area under cultivation for pulses, oilseeds, cotton, sugarcane and paddy. He said that cultivated area is increasing every year.

Referring to the drought affecting crop production, he said, “Last year, the country faced a severe drought in 300 districts, which affected paddy crops. This year, the situation is altogether different and completely satisfactory.”

“Our expectation is that the way the general monsoon situation we have seen, the reservoir position that we have assessed, this will be the most favorable year for crops like wheat and others,” he said. “My ministry will do its best to assist and complement your (states’) efforts by making available all inputs on time,” he added.

Meanwhile, the minister announced a diesel subsidy of Rs 500 per hectare for farmers in the drought-hit districts.

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Both countries are planning to set up a senior-level working group with representatives of RCF, Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO), the Indian government and the Oman Oil Company to kick off due diligence process at the earliest.

The Joint Commission also explored ways to expand the existing capacity of the urea project of the Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO) from the current 16.5 lakh tonnes per year to 25 lakh tonnes.

Other developments in the bilateral trade talks include a feasibility study for setting up a lube blending plant in Oman by BPCL and Oman Oil Marketing Company for marketing in the neighboring countries.

Oman has evinced keen interest in setting up super-specialty hospitals and diagnostic facilities in India as joint ventures. An Omani delegation would visit India at the earliest to take this forward. Oman is also interested in investing in agro processing, especially in SEZs.

Mr. Sharma emphasized that Indian government is giving top priority to its bilateral cooperation with Oman in petroleum, gas and fertilizer sectors. The bilateral trade between the two countries reached $4.5 billion last year, with the total bilateral investment touching $7.5 billion. Mr. Sharma said that Oman, with its strategic location and existing FTAs with several countries including the USA, offers huge opportunities for Indian companies.

The minister also stressed on immediately operationalizing India-Oman Joint Investment Fund and the need to augment the fund capital. The fund started in November 2008 with a capital of $100 million may be increased to $1.5 billion.

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The sugar industry, at present, is controlled by government, by specifying the quantity to be sold in the open market and through public distribution system (PDS) every month. With the imminent bumper crop, which will be ready in two months’ time, the move to decontrol sugar is gaining momentum.

The presentation made by Mr. Pawar to the Prime Minister is believed to include plans and methods Food Ministry will be adapting to free sugar industry from governmental control. Mr. Pawar is understood to have discussed the beneficial outcomes of the move for farmers and consumers.

Among the proposals put forth by Food Ministry is doing away with the practice of setting monthly quota for sale of sugar in open market and through ration shops. Now, sugar mills are bound by law to sell 20% of the sugar produced to government for sale in ration shops. To meet the sugar requirement for PDS, the ministry has advocated purchase of sugar from the open market.

It is believed that the Food Ministry has proposed to give freedom to farmers to sell their produce wherever they want to, instead of the present practice of selling sugarcane to specified mills.

Earlier, Mr. Pawar had hinted that despite decontrolling sugar industry, the government would continue to fix Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane to protect farmers from exploitation. This is the minimum price to be paid by mills to buy sugarcane from farmers.

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“Hoping to address the huge issue of food shortage, these countries have begun inviting overseas farmers to come and cultivate their lands. These governments are willing to lease land free of cost for 99 years,” said D S Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM.

The African governments, while offering free leased land, have not placed any restrictions on crop selection or sale of produce. The overseas farmers are free to cultivate any crop and sell it in either domestic market or export the harvest. This makes the arrangement beneficial for both parties concerned.

“It is a win-win situation for the farmers and for the African governments,” says Om S Tyagi, Director, ASSOCHAM. He adds, “Since the lease is for 99 years, it means that a farmer is in control of the land for his life time. It means land for roughly around three generations.”

China, South Korea and Saudi Arabia have already jumped on the bandwagon, established huge farms and begun cultivation of land. A few Indian farmers, mostly from Punjab, have bought land in these countries on their own initiative and set up individual farms. However, according to ASSOCHAM, this endeavor will be more productive if undertaken on a larger scale with the support of Indian government.

The African nations actively canvassing overseas farmers are Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal and Mozambique.

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Mr. Agarwal is enthusiastic about introducing stevia into Indian market, reeling under unprecedented high sugar prices. He said, “If you’ve ever tasted stevia, you know it’s extremely sweet. A white powder extracted from the dry stevia shrub leaves is approximately 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.”

“It is a zero calorie sweetener and without any side effects. It can replace sugar in every aspect,” he added. He points out that the herb is tried and tested by centuries of use as sweetener and flavor enhancer in its country of origin.

Another favorable aspect about stevia is that it can be grown in diverse climatic conditions. Mr. Agarwal is upbeat about the chances of stevia in India. “The climatic condition in our country is suitable for its cultivation,” he said. “It is easy to maintain and can grow anywhere. For commercial farming of stevia, one needs to make sure of factors like temperature, soil type, water type and availability and planting material for maximum yield with a great quality.”

Mr. Agarwal stressed the herb’s advantages for diabetics and in weight loss industry. He said that clinical studies have established the curative properties of Stevia for diabetics by helping reactivate insulin-secreting cells.

Stevia is widely used as a sweetener in Japan and as a dietary supplement in the US and Canada. Stevia Biotech is seeking governmental permission to start its commercial cultivation in the country.

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