March 22, 2002

CONTRACT FARM LAWS ON THE ANVIL

    The Government will soon come out with rules and regulations on Contract Farming. Stating this here today the Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Ajit Singh said that the issue will be discussed with the States/UTs in the meeting of the Standing Committee of Central Ministers and Chief Ministers convened by the Centre tomorrow. Shri Ajit Singh was speaking at a function organised by APEDA to give away awards to entrepreneurs for export of agricultural commodities. He said that Contract Farming will help exports from the country by assuring quality and quantity of production and added that the country has a vast potential for exports. However, he regretted that India’s exports constitute less than 1% of the world trade. Shri Singh said that there is overproduction worldwide, and as a consequence market information has become very important for the farmer, especially in case of perishable products like flowers and fruits. He said that his Government is giving a lot of emphasis on post harvest management of agricultural produce as well as marketing of farm products.

    The Secretary of the Ministry of Food processing Industry, Shri D.P.Tripathy said that there is a lot of export potential in Organic Food. He said that by 2010 the world market in Organic Food is expected to grow to U.S. $ 46 billion. He called upon exporters to take advantage of the export potential of Organic Food.

    Shri Ajit Singh gave away the Golden Trophy to Allanasons Ltd. Of Mumbai being the largest exporter processed foods and agro- commodities besides Silver Trophies to 13 including Hind Agro Industries and Satnam Overseas of Delhi and Bronze trophies to 18 and certificate of merits to export and trading houses.