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NOVEMBER 2016GULFOODMANUFACTURINGDUBAI7-9/11/2016

INFORMATION & INTELLIGENCE

November 2016 Volume 16 Issue 11

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Price Rs 60

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www.CommodityIndia.comCOMPREHENSIVE AGRI-COMMODITY INTELLIGENCE

November 2016

Here is a great opportunity to make this magazine your own. Kindly feel free to post your appreciations and criticisms about articles, analyses and opinions appearing in the magazine. Selected comments would be appearing in our magazine with your name from next month. Your contribution would be a great step in adding value to the magazine and making “CommodityIndia.com” address the needs of its readers. Kindly post your comments to:

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Developments in ConveyingRotary product distribution gates and direct communication

between weighers/packaging machines and conveyor

systems now enable incoming supply of product to

be diverted to multiple locations with no starvation of

downstream equipment.

08

14

Bühler Leads Pulses Processing Industry with Innovative SolutionsThe ultimate criteria for pulse

processing, as in any other industry, are

yielding and quality. With this in mind,

and following an initial market study,

Bühler set about developing individual

machines in close cooperation with

loyal Bühler customers.

NOVEMBER 2016GULFOODMANUFACTURINGDUBAI7-9/11/2016

INFORMATION & INTELLIGENCE

November 2016 Volume 16 Issue 11

R

Price Rs 60

12 The Mid-Size Machine that Enhances Productivity - nanoSorterHamsa+

18 UNIQUE Delivers Quality and Reliability in Metal Detectors

19 Mondelēz International Reduces Product Wastage within the Cha-Cha Process Line by 20% with the Installation of a Self- Cleaning Russell Eco Filter®

21 Monsoon 2016 and Indian Agriculture

28 Low Temperature Storage of Non - Perishable Commodities in Tropical Region

31 Sustainable Tea Production- an Institutional Approach

34 Unfavourable Weather Affected the 2016-17 Small Cardamom Production

36 Feeling the Pulse of Pulses in India: A Growing Concern

40 Need for Promoting Use of Plastics in Horticulture

November 2016 7

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Edited, Printed & Published and owned by G. Srivatsava, on behalf of Foretell Business Solutions Pvt Ltd, #146, 1st Floor, Gopal Towers, Ramaiah Street,

HAL Airport Road, Kodihalli, Bangalore - 560 008 & Printed at Hamsanikethan Printers, No. 126, CT Bed, Banashankari 2nd Stage, Bangalore - 560070.

PRESIDENTG. Srivatsava

VICE PRESIDENTVinayak Meharwade

CONSULTING EDITORG. Chandrashekhar

RESEARCH TEAMDebajit Saha

Vinay SoniVenkat RamanKempa Reddy

Naveen RSajana S

Archana DasNeelambari

MARKETING TEAMAbhinaya SG

Swapna BERavi Bhandage

Minu

DESIGNERK. Radhika J .Praveen

CIRCULATIONShiva Kumar

Jaisheelan

DATA SUPPORTGajendra

SanjayJayanth KumarPrabhu Jakaty

Ansuya S

CORPORATE OFFICEBangalore

#146, 1st Floor, Gopal Towers, Ramaiah Street, HAL Airport Road,

Kodihalli, Bangalore - 560 008.Tel:+91 80 25276152/53,

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web: www.CommodityIndia.com

BUSINESS ASSOCIATEAlok Thakkar, 9425074420

[email protected]

Dear Readers,Greetings and best wishes!

The GulFood Manufacturing, the largest exhibition in the food machinery sector, will be held in Dubai from 07-09 November. The event would showcase the best technology choices in food processing from across the world.

Food Processing and Packaging machinery manufacturers such as Buhler India, Heat and control, nanoPix Integrated Software Solution, Unique Equipments and Russell Finex Sieves & Filters have written about recent developments in their offerings. Hope you find the information relevant for your business.

During the South-West monsoon 2016, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat region, South and North Interior Karnataka and Kerala have received deficient rainfall. However, there is no adverse impact on crop growth due to availability of enough moisture in the field. The rainfall distribution was satisfactory in East and North East India and there is enough soil moisture in Central region. Because of inadequate rainfall in Northern parts of the country and parts of South Interior Karnataka, protective irrigation was advised for standing crops. The flood has damaged seriously the standing crops like rice, maize, arhar, banana and vegetables in some parts. Dr. N. Chattopadhyay, DDG, IMD has presented a detailed review on South West Monsoon 2016.

A much related analysis, “Need for Promoting Use of Plastics in Horticulture" has been brought out by Dr. Ashok S Alur - Special Officer, UHS Bagalkot and Dr. D L Maheswar - Vice Chancellor, UHS Bagalkot.

Tea safety and sustainability has become the biggest USP. The capacity building efforts of various institutions need wider publicity and visibility as presented by Prof. G K Vidyashankar, IIPM and Mr. M.A. Ganesh - Senior Coordinator, Solidaridad.

Kharif 2016 is expected to result in bumper pulses harvest, with a likely increase in production by 15-20%, owing to enormous efforts taken by the government of India to promote cultivation of pulses. From 1950’s till 2005-06, cropped area under pulses ranged between 22-23 mha. In recent years, the area increased to 25 mha. Total pulses production remained stagnant around 17 million tonnes, while demand has increased to 27 million tonnes during the last five years. ICRISAT has presented a comprehensive analysis on the pulses sector along with its recommendations.

Tamilnadu Foodgrains Marketing Yard intends to conduct research on Bulk Vacuum Packing of commodities like Bengal Gram and Chillies to study the effect of oxidation in the retention of aroma and colour to bring a paradigm shift in low temperature storage of non-perishable commodities in tropical region.

Small cardamom production in India in 2016-17 is expected to decline compared to 2015-16 due to failure of pre-monsoon (Mar-May) rainfall and South-West monsoon (Jun-Sep) and higher temperature during flowering season across major growing regions of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

We would be happy to know your views on the content. Please write to [email protected]

Best wishes. G Srivatsava


Foretell Business Solutions Private Limited neither endorses the advertised product, service or company nor any of the claims made by the advertisement or the advertiser. Readers are

encouraged to do necessary due diligence before initiating any action. Should you like to share your feedback on any of the advertisers, please write to [email protected]

November 20168


Bühler Leads Pulses Processing Industry with Innovative Solutions

Mr. Surojit Basu - Global Product Manager (Pulses, Spices & Sesame (PSS)),Buhler India Pvt. Ltd.

In 2013, the UN adopted a resolution to dedicate 2016 to a group of largely underrated nutrients. It declared the year to be the “International Year of

Pulses” in recognition that they were of particular importance to food security and world climate.

Pulse crops enter into a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria binding the nitrogen living in their root systems. This reduces the requirement for nitrogen fertilizers. Moreover, pulses cultivation is more resource efficient than most animal farming for protein sources, and hence impacts positively on environment sustainability. Just 50 litres of water are needed to grow 1 kg of pulses, whereas almost 13000 litres are needed to rear 1kg of beef.

“The planting of five million tonnes of pulses alone saves as much in terms of greenhouse gases as removing 200,000 cars from the road. And it’s not only the environment that benefits from pulses people do

too. Rich in proteins, carbohydrates, nutritional fibers, vitamins, and minerals, they are highly recommended as part of a nutritionally balanced diet. Additionally, they do not contain gluten, putting them at the centre of the global free from trend. Understandably, when it comes to providing a growing world population with plant protein, pulses come top of the list.

There are many people in the developing countries who owe at least 10 percent of their daily energy intake to legumes, comprising mostly of pulses. But it is not only in developing countries where they are popular. Demand is growing in the industrialized nations too. In North America, more than 2000 pulses based products were launched between 2003 and 2013 and from 2010 to 2014 more than 3500 new products arrived on the EU market.

When finely ground, pulses can be added to all kinds of foodstuffs in order to increase their nutritional value,

without substantially changing texture. This includes many products generally regarded as Western, such as pasta, baked goods, snacks, sauces and soups. On a worldwide scale, some 72 million tonnes of different pulse varieties are produced. And with a production of more than 17 million tonnes, nearly a quarter of them come from India. This makes India an important centre of worldwide pulse production and of consumption too.

November 2016 9


Another major producer, with about a fifth of world production, is Africa. Its countries such as Mozambique, Tanzania, and Malawi export, among other products, pigeon peas to India. Other major exporters include Canada, Myanmar, and Turkey.

Situation in IndiaIn India, dala dish made of simmered and usually pureed and spiced pulses - is a staple, with the Indian government recommending a daily consumption of 40 grams. At the moment the average is just 32 grams, whereas in the 1970’s it was 65 grams a day. A major factor explaining this reduced consumption is the rising price owing mainly to the increasing gap between supply and demand. The government focus has been on other cash crops such as rice and wheat to support a larger group of farmers hence pulse production is taking a back seat. Furthermore, minimum purchase prices, cultivation, trade and processing are still largely unregulated. Add to this the fact that unprocessed pulses are not as profitable or reliable for farmers as wheat, rice or sugar, due to huge price fluctuations.

Areas under cultivation in India have shrunk by 11 percent, resulting in the volumes of pulses being

produced in India no longer meeting increasing demand. To keep pace the country imports between 3 and 4 million tonnes per year, while a restriction was imposed on exports from 2006.

In the light of this situation, middlemen have caught the scent of a business opportunity and some have laid in large stockpiles, imposing a further artificial restriction on supply. This situation means that the price of the raw material has rocketed from INR 20 to 75 per kilogram. By products, on the other hand, which include husk and flour, have remained at the same price, because of the lack of technology to add value, e.g. to turn them into noodles or other recipe products. This in turn means that producer margins have shrunk sharply.

Bühler TechnologiesThe ultimate criteria for pulse processing, as in any other industry, are yielding and quality. With this in mind, and following an initial market study, Bühler set about developing individual machines in close cooperation with loyal Bühler customers.

We realized that the technologies developed over the years by Bühler could lead to substantial production

November 201610


increases. Thanks to its automated and sophisticated production systems, it became possible for the first time to reduce damage and screen out impurities more efficiently. As well as that, valuable by-products, such as lighter seeds, which would previously have ended up in the waste, could now be used. The first machine was the PULSROLL – AIHI, which went onto the market in 2010. This huller was developed in India especially for the processing of pulses.

Business takes off – rapidlyThe biggest problem initially was the price. A Bühler system costs about 15 times as much as a local installation, so persuading the industry was difficult. “Nevertheless, we are now seeing that many of our clients, having bought from us once, do so again”. Clients who bought from Bühler confirm that they simply cannot go back to a local solution. The difference in the personnel needed is also remarkable: local operations require 20 to 30 unskilled labourers, whereas a modern system from Bühler only needs two skilled people located at the plant control panel. All remaining unskilled employees could be deployed appropriately within the organization, such as in the intake and bagging sections.

Added to that is a perceptibly higher plant capacity utilization rate of 80 to 85 percent (instead of 50

percent), as well as the much lower energy consumption when compared to the ancient machines.

Another new machine example, developed is an oil dosing machine. Oil is needed for the hulling and polishing of some pulse varieties and the new machine saves 30 percent of edible oil, thanks to a metered spray process.

Forward lookingUp to 2014 Buhler focus was on mid-market and top-market level. 97 percent of the 5000 or so organized

processors on the Indian subcontinent fall into the small-to-medium segment. For many consumers, particularly the middle classes who seek higher quality pulses, a value are placed on the appearance of their peas. The colour should range from yellow to golden yellow and when split, the edges should be sharp. If not, the quality will be diminished and the value reduced.

Bühler is investing heavily in creating solutions in the value chain to enable pulses to be more convenient and easily included in daily meals which not only improve their nutritional value, but encourage people to eat pulses in many different ways. Pulses converted into flours will be used for various processes such as baking, extrusion, and fractionation. New ingredients, sweet snacks and savoury products will be created such as textured vegetable proteins, pasta, bread and tortillas that have a ‘boosted health’ appeal as well as better appearance, texture, and taste.

For more details, kindly contact: Mr. Surojit Basu,Global Product Manager - Pulses, Spices & Sesame (PSS)Buhler India Pvt. Ltd. Email : [email protected]

November 201612


The Mid-Size Machine that Enhances Productivity - nanoSorterHamsa+

nanoPix Integrated Software Solutions (P) Ltd.

Who we are?nanoPix Integrated Software Solutions is an image and video processing product

company focusing on applications for Indian market. With its patented imageIn technology, nanoPix delivers cutting-edge and rugged solutions that span diverse areas of applications and help cut costs significantly.

What drives us?A culture of innovation and passion drives us to serve our customers. This has helped us to create solutions for the evolving Indian industry. Our products are a testimony to the innovation that pans out in every single action of ours. With satisfied customers across India, we are confident of becoming the numero-uno video and image processing application development organization. With demand for our cashew grading machines rising from other parts of the world, nanoPix have proved that our products meet the global standard in performance. Our nanoSorter range of machines is based on the powerful and patented imageIn Technology. You can sort cashews by color, size and type in a Single Pass. It helps not only in overcoming the challenges of labour but also in getting quick Return on Investment.

The Edge: Patented TechnologyimageIn technology is a unique computer vision technology that is used to analyze a given object in a 3 Dimensional space. Unlike the conventional 3-D analysis, imageIn Technology does not reconstruct a 3-D model. Instead it analyses the region of interest in the 3-D space over a distributed computation. This technology is inspired by the nature's compound eye principle found in most insects.

All the nanoSorter range of cashew grading machines is based on the patented imageIn Technology. Cashew

grading in India has been transformed thanks to the use of imageIn technology. This technology powers our nanoSorter range of fully automated cashew grading machines with multi-grading functions. They can sort by colour, size and type in a Single Pass, making nanoPix, a leading cashew grading machine manufacturer in India.

nanoPix nanoSorters cashew grading machines are available in 50KG (SHUKA), 75KG (HAMSA) and 125KG (HAMSA+) grading capacities in 5 Plus 2 grades in single pass. nanoPix has also developed the state of the art Automated Crate Handler System (ACHS).

Constant Innovation: Advantage CustomerIn practical terms, innovation for us means pushing the boundaries to meet customer requirements. The practice of continuous innovation has helped us create value for customers. imageIn technology patent has now been officially filed in 80 countries across the world. Our growth story has crossed borders from India to across the seas, with exports to Vietnam. More demand pours in from across the world for this unique product.

nanoSorterHamsa+The mid-size machine that enhances productivity

nanoSorter Hamsa+ was launched in August 2015. Hamsa+ was the direct result of the company keeping its ear to the ground. From 75KG Hamsa, the 125KG Hamsa+ was a logical evolution. It also signalled the need for Upgradation in the customer’s grading capacity. And the industry was ready for it.

Hamsa+ is the most suited cashew grading machine for customers who operate up to 60 bags of RCN per day. Since the launch our customers are happily embracing the new machine with an overwhelming response. Our

November 2016 13


customers find Hamsa+ useful because of its consistency like the Hamsa, topped with the higher throughput capacity. It also has a host of features majorly targeting the increase in reliability of the machine on the customer site. Ease of use has been enhanced, making it seamless and effortless for the customers to have the maximum up time for the machine. We believe that Hamsa+ is an example for customer centric development which is always our prime focus. Apart from the 125 KGs per hour throughput, other unique features of Hamsa+ are that it is a single button start system and has an integrated power protection system safeguarding the precision electronic components. It also has a provision to quickly swap and clean the cups coupled with a unique non-contact based cup closure system ensuring long life of the cups. It also hosts a number of guards ensuring the safety of the operator. It comes with an advanced program with which the user can save multiple programs and parameters. It is designed to be backward compatible. All Hamsa machines can be upgraded to the latest Hamsa+ functionality.

When you want more out of your grading machine!If you are processing around 60 bags of RCN per day, nanoSorter Hamsa+ is the most suited cashew grading machine for your plant. With 125 KGs per hour throughput, a single button start system, integrated power protection system and much more, Hamsa+ provides the best return on investments.

It is based on the patented imageIn Technology that analyses the region of interest in the 3-D space over a distributed computation; a technology inspired by the nature's compound eye principle found in most insects.

The specifications of Hamsa+ are:1. 125 kg Through-put per Hour.2. 5 + 2 Grades, 95% Accuracy.3. 2 % or less Breakage.4. Defect and Husk Removal.5. Controllable Grades 180/210, 240, 320, 400.6. Plug and Play System.7. Simple system suitable for cashew processors. 8. 24 Hours Duty Cycle.9. 11HP Total Power, 3- Phase.

Call us today and we will help you analyze your plant capacity and suggest the best grading solution that will help you with the best Return on your Investments. nanoPix Integrated Software Solutions (P) Ltd. 3rd Floor, Plot No 1 & 2, Akshay Plaza, Chetan College Road, Behind Bharat Petrol Pump, HUBLI – 580031. www.nanopix-iss.com |Board: +91 72040 36524 / Sales: +91 70222 99990 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

November 201614


Developments in ConveyingMr. Blake Svejkovsky - Product Handling Systems Manager, Heat and Control Inc.

Smart conveying involves more than moving your products from points A to B. When it comes time to upgrade your conveyor system, look for the latest technology in safe conveyors that are sanitation friendly, reduce cross contamination, maintain product quality, facilitate

proportional product feeding, and reduce costs for operation and maintenance.

Feel the Vibrations Vibratory conveyors move product by bouncing it. Different magnitudes of amplitude (vertical

lift) and frequency (forward pitches) produce different product travel rates. Vibratory conveyors use two basic drive types, each suitable for certain products and actions.

Electromagnetic drives produce variable-speed movements with short amplitude (lift) and high frequency (speed). Best-suited for light, easy-flowing products like snacks, it is ideal for conveying limited bed depths, spreading and fines removal.

Mechanical drives produce the opposite type of movement: fixed-speed long amplitude and low frequency conveying for moving large quantities of heavy, sticky products. Mechanical drives come in direct or indirect designs. Choose direct for sorting, grading and bi-directional conveying. Indirect is best for product transfer, dewatering, spreading, laning and fines removal.

Vibratory Conveyor Features/Function: • Vertical separation of product pieces; great for

scalping, grading, sizing and separation of fines

• Spreading product across pan width• High travel rates (with high-amplitude conveyors)• Leveling product piles• Moving sticky products• Conveying product uphill, sometimes as much as 7

degrees

While bouncing is useful for piece separation and inspection, it is rough on fragile products and separates pre-mixed product blends. The constant impact on the pan shakes off seasonings and coatings, causes breakage and generally reduces the quality of finished products. Vibration can cause micro-cracks in products making them susceptible to eventual breakage. High noise levels (79 dB - 90 dB) are caused by product bouncing in the pan. Also, travel rates decrease as the bed depth or product weight increases, although some conveyors can partially overcome this.

Horizontal Motion Slides HomeInstead of bouncing product, horizontal motion conveyors slide it along the pan. This has become the preferred means of transferring and distributing fragile and coated snacks, fresh produce and frozen prepared foods.

Horizontal Motion Conveyor Features/Function:• Virtually eliminates product breakage and stress

fractures• Does not shake off seasonings and breading• Eliminates accumulation of seasoning, oil and other

coatings in the pan, thus reduces cleaning downtime

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• Reduces conveying noise with product (typically to 70 - 74 dB)

• Maintains product blends and does not segregate product pieces

• Maintains travel rates consistent with bed depths and product weights

• Conveys large quantities without bogging down• Transmits less vibration, allowing lighter, less

expensive support platforms and no ceiling supports• Accepts different pan lengths and configurations

(with certain horizontal motion drives)

While sliding product prevents breakage, coating loss and noise, it also limits the application of horizontal motion conveyors:• Product spreading only achieved with specially

shaped pans• Product travel rates are slower than aggressive

vibratory conveyors but may be faster than high-frequency designs

• Uphill conveying is limited to about 1.5 degrees, although there is now on the market, a pan that conveys up to 8-degree incline

• Does not level piles of product without pan modifications

Horizontal motion conveyors are available with direct and inertia drives. Direct drives use long strokes producing travel rates up to 12.5 m/min. In addition to greater throughput/pan size, direct drives stop and start instantly, offer modular expandability, provide fast travel rates to reduce stale product complaints and improve the efficiency of seasoning and overall packaging room performance. Inertia drives generally deliver slower product travel rates, have delayed stop and start operation and do not work well in modular and packaging feed applications.

Selecting the proper type of horizontal motion drive will greatly reduce maintenance, energy usage, improve safety and packaging feed efficiency. When selecting direct or inertia drive horizontal motion conveyors, the

pan size is usually a key determining factor.

As horizontal motion conveyors have led the way in new product development in recent years, here is an overview of this technology and key points you need to consider when choosing your supplier:

FSMA Related Improvements For Food SafetyTo help processors comply with Food Safety and Modernisation Act directives, new conveyor technology has emerged to ensure more thorough sanitation of product contact surfaces and to reduce the possibility of product cross-contamination.

Look for single piece stainless steel conveyor pans with no sharp angles or recesses that can trap bacteria. Also check that product diverting gates on distribution conveyors can be removed quickly and without using tools. This allows such parts to be thoroughly cleaned away from the production area. There is also a new generation of continuous weighing conveyors that eliminate the product loss and unsanitary operation of traditional weigh belts.

For product distribution systems, investigate the latest rotary distribution gate designs that reduce leakage and the possibility of product cross-contamination. These rotating cylindrical gates have no pinch points that can damage product and injure operators. There are also soft-edge designs for the traditional slide gate that greatly reduce the risk of pinch point injuries.

New TrendsIn response to customers’ needs for gentler, more responsive conveyor systems, equipment manufacturers are developing new designs that move product quickly, cause less damage, and provide an operator-friendly workplace.

Horizontal MotionFor many foods, particularly fragile snacks and coated products, horizontal motion has become the conveyor

November 201616


of choice over vibratory models. Although better suited for grading, sizing, spreading, and moving sticky foods, the bouncing motion of vibratory conveyors causes breakage and stress fractures, and shakes seasonings and coatings off foods. Horizontal motion eliminates these problems by sliding product in the conveyor pan. This prevents build-ups of oil and seasonings in the conveyor pan and the frequent downtime needed for cleaning.

Horizontal motion maintains pre-mixed blends. Some models can even convey up slight inclines. Horizontal motion also transmits less vibration, allowing the use of less structurally complex support platforms. Even running with product, horizontal motion conveyors operate far quieter than vibratory models, usually in the low 70 dB range.

Long Runs For Less BreakageThe latest horizontal motion conveyors can handle heavier pans for runs up to 100 feet long using a single drive. The lack of transfer points helps reduce product breakage. Users also benefit from lower equipment purchase and maintenance costs since one drive can cover distances the previously required three or more.

Real Time Full Proportional DeliveryRotary product distribution gates and direct communication between weighers/packaging machines and conveyor systems now enable incoming supply of product to be diverted to multiple locations with no starvation of downstream equipment. When used to feed multiple seasoning applicators, these conveyor systems allow different flavours to be applied simultaneously. Less warehousing, faster order fulfilment and longer, more efficient machine run times are a few of the benefits.

Conveying in the food industry has become more sophisticated than simply moving product from points A to B. System layouts, accumulation, feed modulation, product diverting methods, sanitation, operator safety, cross-contamination, sustainability and product quality control are just a few considerations to keep in mind when upgrading a conveyor or ordering a new line. Luckily many of these issues can be addressed by choosing between two basic methods of moving product: Vibratory or Horizontal Motion conveying.

For information on either horizontal or vibratory conveyors by FastBack, visit the Heat and Control team at Gulfood Manufacturing 2016 in Dubai, 7 – 9 November, booth # D1-13. Alternatively, visit www.heatandcontrol.com; or email [email protected]. Or stay up to date with the latest information on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook (search Heat and Control).

November 201618


UNIQUE Delivers Quality and Reliability in Metal Detectors

The foundation of Unique Equipments was laid in 1999 with

a view to provide advanced Metal Detectors for the national and international markets. Our endeavors are being supported by a prudent mentor, Mr. Pravin P. Parker, who is the CEO of the company.

Working through a keen understanding of ever-changing market demands and specific requirements of the clients, the company has excelled in providing the right solutions for diverse applications on consistent basis. Our popularity in the market has also soared on the basis of providing an extensive range of Metal Detectors, which is easy to install or modify as per the user’s needs.

Well connected by road, rail, sea and air, our production unit is located 30 Kms away from Panjim, Goa and boast of a fully operational unit spread over an area of 15000 Sq ft and bare space of 1750 Sq ft. Equipped with latest machinery and equipment, the unit enables the production of modern Metal Detectors that meet the needs of the industry and the clientele.

Quality is maintained by us at each stage of the production to delivery cycle and even beyond that by assisting the customers and improvising on the feedback provided by them. Our quality policy thus governs every aspect, extending to the resource management as well, to offer quality products and services on a regular basis.

Why UNIQUE?Assurance of quality, precision and consistency.Excellent Technical Assistance and After Sales Services.Skilled labor and highly qualified professionals.Products promising performance, reliability, durability and enhanced functionality.Backing of modern technology in development and production.Innovation and up-gradation as per the dynamic global scenario.

Industries servedPharmaceutical Industry, Food and Processing Industry, Chemical Industry, Rubber Industry, Plastic Industry, Cement Industry, Iron Ore Mines, Paper Industry, Banks & Co-operate offices, Shopping Malls and Institutions

UNIQUE State of art machinery manufactured in IndiaMicro Scan Metal Detector, Deep Search Metal Detector, Door Frame Metal Detector, Gravity Feed Metal Detector, Hand Held Metal Detector, Portable Search Light Metal Detector, Pulse Induction Metal Detector, Under Vehicle Search Metal Detector, Tablet Metal Detector

Gurunath Kesanur - Director

November 2016 19


Mondelēz International Reduces Product Wastage within the Cha-Cha Process Line by 20% with the Installation of a Self-Cleaning

Russell Eco Filter®Mrs. Radhika Singh - Asst. Marketing Manager, Russell Finex Sieves & Filters Pvt Ltd

Russell Finex helps Mondelēz International to improve their production process by recovering caramel, a high viscosity product to be filtered

at a high temperature.

Mondelēz International, one of the largest companies in the cookie and biscuit industry, sought to optimize the production process of one of its well-known brands and looked to existing sieving and filtration supplier Russell Finex to provide a solution.

One of the company’s factories in Herentals, Belgium produces brands such as Pims, Prince, TUC and Cha-Cha. The Cha-Cha chocolate bar is a thin crunchy wafer covered with caramel and Belgian chocolate, one of the

most well-known chocolate bars in Belgium. The company experienced product wastage with the manufacturing of this chocolate bar, and wanted to improve production efficiencies. Having already been supplied seven Russell Compact Sieves® for the check screening of flour, the

company counted on Russell Finex’s expertise to solve this problem.

The production process begins with baking a thin crispy wafer and coating it with caramel. The wafer is then laid to rest for 24 hours. After this, several wafers are pressed together, cut to size and covered with chocolate. When the wafer is covered with caramel, wafer crumbs get into the excess caramel, making it non re-usable. Hence, caramel is wasted at this point of the production process. Alex Pardon, Continuous Improvement Facilitator at Mondelēz International, explains: “We sought a solution to recover the wasted caramel in order to reduce the product loss and improve the production process. We required a machine which

November 201620


could filter a high viscosity paste, at a high temperature in order to keep the caramel in liquid form for it to be reclaimed for reuse.”

Russell Finex offered to test their Self-Cleaning Russell Eco Filter® at the Mondelēz site. The results of the tests were very positive with the filter keeping the high viscose caramel in a liquid state by filtering at a temperature of 35°C. The unit separated the wafer crumbs from the caramel. The results of the tests were positive, and the Mondelēz group then needed to ensure that the taste of the chocolate bar met their quality standards. A special taste test found no difference in quality between a bar with or without the reclaimed caramel and as a result Mondelēz decided to install one Self-Cleaning Russell Eco Filter®.

The installation of the Self-Cleaning Russell Eco Filter® resulted in a 20% reduction in product loss and improved the waste disposal process. Pardon explains: “Before the filter was installed the product needed to be manually disposed of by employees. This routine has now become unnecessary. The filter also provided further benefits. Due to its unique self-cleaning SpiroKlene™ wiper system and replaceable stainless steel filter element, there is minimal operator involvement and no need

to replace filter elements, resulting in substantial cost savings. The unit is also easy to strip down and clean, reducing production downtime.

Pardon concludes: “The Self-Cleaning Russell Eco Filter® is not only able to filter high viscosity pastes whilst keeping the product in a liquid state, but are also easy to maintain. We would certainly recommend the Russell Eco Filter® to producers of high viscosity liquids”.

For over 80 years Russell Finex have manufactured and supplied filters, sieves and separators to a wide range of industries, to improve product quality, enhance productivity, safeguard worker health, and ensure liquids and powders are contamination-free.

Read more on this applicationFor more information contact:Russell Finex Sieves & Filters Pvt LtdBMS Business Centre, 10 PVR Plaza New Delhi, IndiaContact Person: Radhika SinghEmail: [email protected]@russellfinex.com Tel: 011-41513601/02Web: http://www.russellfinex.in

November 2016 21


Monsoon 2016 and Indian AgricultureDr. N. Chattopadhyay - Deputy Director General of Meteorology (Agricultural Meteorology),

Agricultural Meteorology Division, India Meteorological Department

As per the Long Range Forecast update of India

Meteorological Department (IMD) for 2016

Southwest monsoon, rainfall over the country

as a whole for Southwest monsoon season (June to

September) is most likely to be above normal (>104%

to 110% ) of long period average (LPA). Quantitatively,

monsoon seasonal rainfall for the country as a whole

is likely to be 106% of the long period average with a

model error of ±4%. Region wise, the season rainfall is

likely to be 108% of LPA over North-West India, 113% of

LPA over Central India, 113% of LPA over South Peninsula

and 94% of LPA over North-East India all with a model

error of ± 8 %. The monthly rainfall over the country as

whole is likely to be 107% of its LPA during July and 104%

of LPA during August both with a model error of ± 9.

The onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala signals the

arrival of monsoon over the Indian subcontinent and

represents beginning of rainy season over the region. The

normal onset of monsoon over Kerala is 1st June. Since

2005, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been

issuing operational forecasts for the date of monsoon

onset over Kerala using an indigenously developed

statistical model with a model error of ± 4 days. The

statistical model forecast suggested that the monsoon

onset over Kerala in this year was likely to be slightly

delayed. IMD predicted that the southwest monsoon will

Dr. N.Chattopadhyay - Deputy Director General of Meteorology (IMD)

November 201622


Figure 3: Seasonal rainfall over the country upto

30th September

Figure 1: Onset of monsoon over the country

Figure 2: Withdrawal of Southwest monsoon over the country as on 17th

October 2016

be likely to set over Kerala on 7th June with a model error of ± 4 days. This year southwest monsoon advanced over Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 18th May 2016 and over Kerala on 8th June 2016 (Figure 1), which is 7 days delay from its normal date. Also monsoon advanced over Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 18th May 2016 and over Kerala on 8th June 2016, which is 7 days delay from its normal date and it has covered the entire country on 13th July 2016.

For the country as a whole, cumulative rainfall during this year’s monsoon has so far up to 30th September been 3% below LPA. Details of the rainfall distribution over the four broad

homogeneous regions of India are given below:

November 2016 23


Monsoon Season Rainfall Scenario (01 June to 30 September, 2016)Regions Actual Rainfall (mm) Normal Rainfall (mm) % Departure from LPA

Country as a whole 862.0 887.5 -3%

Northwest India 584.2 615.0 -5%

Central India 1034.1 975.5 6%

South Peninsula 661.5 716.1 -8%

East & northeast India 1281.5 1438.3 -11%

Figure 4: Cumulative rainfall (mm) over the country as a whole

November 201624


There was well distributed rainfall in Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka after the onset of monsoon. Nursery sowing and direct of rice was started in the above regions. In North interior Karnataka, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, sowing of kharif crops started in second fortnight of June after the advancement of monsoon.

In North East Region, there was good amount of rainfall due to pre-monsoon showers in first week of June and nursery sowing of rice and sowing of other kharif crops was continued.

In Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, nursery sowing/direct sowing of rice, sowing soybean, maize, pulses and oil seeds started after 20th June after receipt of sufficient rainfall.

Rainfall distribution in July was quite good except in some pockets of North Interior Karnataka, North Madhya Maharashtra (Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nasik and Ahmed Nagar) and in Kutch district of Gujarat where there was less rainfall during first fortnight of July. Due to receipt of adequate rainfall in the month of July, sowing of kharif crops continued normally in Konkan, Vidarbha, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Northeastern States, West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, East Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

During the month of July, 26 Subdivisions received normal to excess rainfall whereas 10 Subdivision received deficient rainfall. At the end of July, sowing of kharif crops, transplanting of rice and finger millet was almost completed in major parts of country except Kutch region of Gujarat.

Central India, North and North West India, East India received well distributed rainfall in the month of August except in Bihar. Rainfall activity was subdued over Marathwada, Vidarbha (Maharashtra), North Interior

Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from 1st week to 26th August. In Madhya Maharashtra, rainfall activity was subdued from second week of August to first week of September. In Kutch district, sowing of castor and cluster bean as contingent crops was done after 8th August as sowing of normal crops could not be undertaken due to deficient rainfall. Rainfall condition in Marathwada, Vidarbha (Maharashtra), North Interior Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has improved due to the rains received after 26th August.

During the month of September, rainfall was scanty in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh and Kerala and deficient over Jammu & Kashmir, H.P., Uttatrakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Assam, South Interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema. Protective irrigation was advised for standing crops in these Sub divisions.

During the monsoon season 2016, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat region, South and North Interior Karnataka and Kerala received deficient rainfall. Though there is deficient rainfall, there is no adverse impact on crop growth due to availability of enough moisture the crop field.

Impact of excess/deficient rainfall during the month of July 2016

Madhya Pradesh• Due to continuous rainfall during last week in

Madhya Pradesh, there was water logging in low land in rice nursery, soybean, maize and pulses field in Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Sagar, Damoh, Raisen, Bhopal, Vidisha, Jabalpur, Satna and Sehore districts. Due to water logging, 5% damage was reported in soybean fields in low lying ares of Sagar, Damoh, Raisen and Sehore districts. As in individual fileds the crop damage in soybean is only about 5%, resowing of soybean or sowing of other crops is not advised.

• In Indore, Dewas and Ujjain districts, gap filling has been carried out in affected fields.

November 2016 25


AssamIn Assam, due to heavy rainfall duringthe third week of July,flooding was reported in Jorhat, Golahat, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Dhubri, Goalpara, Kamrup(Rural), Nagaon, Kokrajhar and Nalbari, Dhemaji, Darrang, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur districts of Assam. Farmers were advised the following contingecy measures in flood affected areas: • In Jorhat, Golahat, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Chirang,

Dhubri, Goalpara, Kamrup(Rural), Nagaon, Kokrajhar and Nalbari districts of Assam, farmers of flood affected areas are advised to collect the submerge tolerance rice variety like Swarna Sub 1. Drain out excess water from already sown sesame fields.

• In Dhemaji, Darrang, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur and districts of North Blank Plain Zone of Assam, if flood water does not recede up to end of July, direct sowing of very short duration varieties like Luit, Kapilee, Kolong and Disang (90 to 100 days duration) up to 8-10 September. Farmers are advised the following contingecy measures in case of flood: • If there is total damage of seedlings of Sali rice

in the main fields, farmers are advised to sowing seeds for replanting with medium to short duration varieties like - Monohar Sali, Salpona, Prasadbhog, Gobin bhog etc. in nursery bed within 1st week of August. Initiative should be taken for raising community nursery for late planting with old seedlings of the varieties like Profulla and Gitesh (If more than 50% damaged).

• Also wet seeding wth sprouted seeds at 75-80 kg/ha of short to medium duration varieties like Disang, Luit, (100 days) Kapili, Kalong (120 days). Late and staggered planting with the old seedlings (50-60 days old seedlings) of the varieties like Profulla and Gitesh (If the field is heavily damaged).

• Direct seeding with the photo insensitive short duration variety like Luit. Adoption of submergence tolerance varieties like Jalashree and Jalkuwari for repeat flood prone areas.

Saurashtra and Kutch• Due to deficient rainfall in Kutch district and North

West Zone of Gujarat, sowing of short duration varieties of cotton, groundnut, pearl millet, sesame, cluster bean, green gram and cowpea were advised after receipt of sufficient rainfall. Select bunch type groundnut varieties instead of spreading and semi spreading varieties. Select variety of Groundnut (GG-2 variety), pearl millet (early maturity GHB-757, GHB-719, GHB- 538 ), sesame (improved verities viz., G.til-1 and G.til-2), cluster bean (Gujarat Guar-2), green gram (G.Mung-4 and K-851) and cow pea (G. Cowpea-4, G. Cowpea-5, Pusa Falguni).

• In Saurashtra, in view of the deficient rainfall during last week of June and also subdued rainfall likely during next fortnight, undertake the following measures in already sown crop fields in Amreli, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Surendranagar, Junagadh and Porbandar districts.• Intercultural operations, weeding and mulching

to conserve soil moisture. • Protective irrigation is advised in the areas

where sowing is completed.

Bihar • In Bihar, rice is mainly cultivated by transplanting

(rice nursery) method and due to light to moderate rain during July was not sufficient for transplanting, there was slight delay in transplanting of rice in North East Bihar and South Bihar. Rain received during August month was helpful for transplnting of rice, sowing of maize, arhar and planting of ginger and turmeric.

Impact of weather on Agriculture in the country during September 2016.

• The rainfall distribution in spatial and temporal terms was overall conducive for the growth of crops except some heavy rainfall rain incidences in Marathwada, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which affected the standing crops as well as crops at maturity stage. The heavy rainfall during

November 201626


15th to 17th and also from 22nd to 25th September in Marathwada, damaged standing crops like cotton, soybean, jowar, green gram and black gram. In Parbhani, Latur and Osmanabad districts, soybean, green gram and black gram at harvesting stage might have been damaged due to viviparous germination. Square and boll dropping are noticed in cotton due to heavy rain, also cloudy weather and rain may affect the quality of cotton. Lodging was reported in jowar and bajra. Also in Marathwada, heavy rainfall during 30th September to 2nd October damaged soybean crop at harvesting stage in Beed (in 2 lakh ha), Osmanabad (2.5 lakh ha) and Latur (1000 ha) districts. Also damage in cotton, moong and arhar is also reported.

• Incessant to heavy rains during 21st to 27th September 2016 have caused extensive damage to crops in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. 1.5 lakh hectares of crop was damaged in Telangana and about one lakh hectares of crop was damaged in Andhra Pradesh, impacting rice, cotton, red gram and maize. In Telangana, maximum crop damage has been reported in Warangal, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Ranga Reddy districts

• The rainfall distribution was satisfactory in East, North East India and there is enough soil moisture in Central region. Because of inadequate rainfall in Northern parts of the country and parts of South Interior Karnataka, protective irrigation was advised for standing crops.

Flood report during the monsoon season 2016 in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal• Sub Himalayan West Bengal: Due to continuous

widespread rainfall with heavy rains during third week of July, there was flood situation in Siliguri area of Darjeeling, some areas of Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal. Due to water loggingvegetables, tranplanted rice fields and rice nursery is damaged. Farmers are advised to drain out excess water from rice nursery,

tranplanted rice fields and vegetables. They are also advised to undertake, gap filling in crop affected areas after receding of flood water. If nursery is available, undertake re-tranplanting of rice seedling in more affected area or undertake direct sowing of rice by selecting short duration rice varieties.

Madhya Pradesh: From June 1st to Aug 22nd, 2016, Alirajpur, Ashoknagar, Betul, Bhopal, Guna, Hoshangabad, Jhabua, Khandwa, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Sehore, Shahajapur, Shivpuri, Ujjain and Vidisha districts in West Madhya Pradesh received excess rainfall ( > 20 % departure). These are soybean, corn, cotton, producing areas with excess rain occurred two times during kharif 2016 season. One at July 8-9, while the other at August 19-20, 2016. At first time, farmers had re-sown the affected areas during the second week of July. Currently, no damage of crops due to flood is reported.

In East Madhya Pradesh, overall excess of 30 % departure rainfall occurred till date, with Chhattarpur, Chhindwara, Damoh, Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Panna, Rewa, Satna, Sagar, Sidhi, Singrauli and Umaria districts with excess rainfall ( > 20 % departure of excess rainfall). Pulse and soybean and sesame crops are more grown in Chhattarpur, while maize, oranges, and vegetables are more prominent in Chhindwara district. Other areas grow rice as a major field crops. No crop damage due to flood is reported in these areas as of today.

Bihar: During the third week of August, the water level of Ganga has increased due to release of water from Indrapuri barrage and other rivers merging into Ganga. Besides, a huge volume of water has been released from Bansagardam. The rising water level of Ganga has more or less created flood-like situation in all the districts situated along the banks of the river in Bihar. The districts which witnessed flood situation includes – Patna, Vaishali, Buxar, Aurangabad, Bhojpur, Saran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Munger, Bhagalpur and Katihar. About 35 lakhs people have been affected

November 2016 27


due to this flood. 25 lakhs people have been marooned. Farmers are the worst sufferers in this flood.Agricultural ImpactThe flood has damaged seriously the standing crops like rice, maize, arhar, banana and vegetables. Scores of cattle have died. There was problem everywhere for fodder for the animals.

Contingency planning suggested in flood affected areasFarmers are advised to wait for flood water to recede from the crop fields. Under condition of severe damage to standing crops, in the upland areas sowing of arhar, black gram and early cauliflower, tomato, radish, brinjal, pointed gourd was suggested.• In medium land situation toria, sunflower can be

sown at the end of this month. In lowland areas, after complete recede of water, sowing of mustard, lentil, chick pea can do on residual soil moisture in the month of October-November.

• Farmers should avoid grazing of cattle in the areas from where flood water has just receded to avoid possible diseases.

Conclusion: The rainfall distribution in spatial and temporal terms was overall conducive for the growth of crops except some heavy rainfall incidences in Marathwada, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which affected the standing crops as well as crops at maturity stage. Also due to deficient rainfall in Kutch district and North West Zone of Gujarat, sowing of short duration varieties of cotton, groundnut, pearl millet, sesame, cluster bean, green gram and cowpea were advised North West Zone of Gujarat and in Kutch district sowing of contingency crop like castor and guar was suggested as contingency crops after receipt of sufficient rainfall. Overall crop situation was satisfactory. This year we expect good harvest of major cereal, pulses and oil seed crops in the country.

November 201628


Low Temperature Storage of Non-Perishable Commodities in Tropical Region

K. Suresh Kumar - Executive Director, Tamilnadu Foodgrains Marketing Yard, Madurai.

K. Suresh Kumar - Executive Director

Low Temperature Storage seems to be meant

only for perishables such as fruits, vegetables,

meat, milk products etc., but non perishable

commodities are also stored in low temperature

warehouses. Conventionally chillies, dates and tamarind

were amongst the non perishables which were stored

in low temperature warehouses. Now grains, spices and

condiments are also stored in warehouses for retention

of aroma, taste, colour and extension of shelf-life.

Grains under low temperature cold storage

In recent times an array of grains are stored in low

temperature warehouses. Bengal

gram, Lobha, Horse Gram,

Chickpeas, Dhall, Moong Gram,

Black Gram, Toor Gram etc., are

stored under low temperature

to retain, the colour.

In tropical regions

storing grains under a

temperature of less than

150 C helps to control

infestation.

Spices and Condiments

Dry red chilli is a special condiment with an attractive

colour and pungent smell, which is mainly used to raise

the colour and taste of various cuisines. Hence, it is

stored under low temperature to retain its unique colour

and the pungent aroma. Chilli oleoresin has complete

essence of its properties like pungency and colour. Low

temperature storage

ensures protection of

oleoresin content in

chilli.

November 2016 29


In Indian and European countries, spices and condiments find a prime place in food sector. The spices and condiments are important ingredients in food preparation not only

for its taste and aroma but also for its medicinal value. Each and every spice has unique medicinal value, to preserve this inherent value they are preferably stored in low temperature warehouses now-a-days.

Turmeric, Cardamom, Ajwain, Poppy Seeds, Star Aniseed, Pepper, Coriander, Cumin Seeds are stored in

low temperature either before selling them as whole grains or before processing into powder and blended masalas to get better value added products.

Flour under low temperatureRice flour, Gram flour and value added flour like, ‘Puttu

flour’, ‘Murukku flour’, ‘Bajji flour’ are also stored under low temperature to extend the shelf-life and to retain the quality to get better results in taste and appearance when food is prepared out of it by the ultimate consumer.

Under these categories of grains, flour items, spices and condiments more than 30 commodities are stored in low temperature warehouse at Tamilnadu Foodgrains Marketing Yard, Madurai.

Need for ResearchThe cost of establishing a Low Temperature Storage Warehouse and the recurring cost involved in it, especially the cost element of power is high and in-turn the cost of storing under low temperature is also expensive. Researches on alternate storage methods, economical than the present storage in low temperature warehouse without compromising its benefits is the need of the hour.

Vacuum PackingThe Tamilnadu Foodgrains Marketing Yard is putting

November 201630


forth these real time issues of food sector before the academic and research institutes to conduct study on these areas. The Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women at Kilakkarai, one of the Academic

Research Partner of Tamilnadu Foodgrains Marketing Yard has conducted a study on vacuum packing of Bengal gram.

Their research finding is, vacuum packing retains the colour of

Bengal gram. They have done this in a lab scale, further researches are yet to be undertaken in this area to study the cost effectiveness for bulk vacuum packing of grains in huge quantities and to control infestation in vacuum packing.

Tamilnadu Foodgrains Marketing Yard is intended to conduct Research on Bulk Vacuum Packing of commodities like Bengal Gram and Chillies to study the effect of oxidation in the retention of aroma and colour to bring a paradigm shift in low temperature storage of

non perishable commodities in tropical region.

November 2016 31


Sustainable Tea Production - an Institutional Approach

Dr. G.K. Vidyashankar - Spices Board Chair Professor & Co-ordinator, Indo-US Collaborative Training Centre (CTC) for Food Safety & Supply Chain Management, Indian Institute of Plantation Management

(IIPM ) and Mr. M.A. Ganesh - Senior Coordinator – Tea, Solidaridad.

Tea is one of the most popular and inexpensive beverages of the world. India is the largest producer of black tea and the largest consumer of

this beverage. India is also the largest exporter of tea in the world after China. The tea industry has huge social relevance considering the amount of direct and indirect employment in the industry has created. Tea crop being perennial grown in states in larger areas, is infested by various insect and mite species that cause substantial damage to this foliage-crop. Tea crops suffer from a range of pests and diseases for which pesticides are the main management solution, but this result in increased

production costs and potential risks to human health. The use of pesticides has often been considered as the only way to manage pest infestation on tea crop. The indiscriminate application of pesticides poses various risks to environment, human health and also the plant itself in the long run. There is a need to relook into the usage pattern of synthetic pesticides on this crop and development of non-chemical based strategies for pest management. Various research groups are promoting adoption of non-chemical pesticide approach for pest management in tea. However, the problems of indiscriminate use of pesticides continue to persist.

What Is Sustainable Production? Sustainability is a broad concept encompassing environmental and ecological issues as well as human rights issues and other humanistic questions. A practice is sustainable if it is beneficial for the environment, for people and for communities and can be practiced indefinitely without harm.

Sustainable Production is the creation of goods and services using processes and systems that are:• Non-polluting• Conserving of energy and natural resources• Economically viable• Safe and healthful for workers, communities, and

consumers• Socially and creatively rewarding for all working

people.

If production is sustainable, then the environment, employees, communities, and organizations—all benefit. These conditions can lead, always in the long term, and often in the short term, to more economically viable and productive enterprises.

Dr. G.K. Vidyashankar - Spices Board Chair Professor & Co-ordinator

November 201632


10 Principles of Sustainable Production

The following are the 10 major principles of sustainable production• Products and packaging are designed to be safe and

ecologically sound throughout their life cycle.• Services are organized to satisfy real human needs

and promote equity and fairness. • Wastes and ecologically incompatible by-products

are reduced, eliminated or recycled• Chemical substances or physical agents and

conditions that present hazards to human health or the environment are eliminated.

• Energy and materials are conserved, and the forms of energy and materials used are most appropriate for the desired ends.

• Workplaces and technologies are designed to minimize or eliminate chemical, ergonomic and physical hazards.

• Work is organized to conserve and enhance the efficiency and creativity of employees.

• The security and well-being of all employees is a priority, as is the continuous development of their talents and capacities.

• The communities around workplaces are respected and enhanced economically, socially, culturally and physically.

• The long-term economic viability of the enterprise or institution is enhanced.

Therefore, the cost of adopting sustainable practices is not expenditure but an investment for Long-Term Growth

Institutional Efforts to promote sustainable tea productionVarious initiatives have been made in major tea producing countries to implement sustainable tea production practices in association with their respective government agencies.

The IDH Tea program The IDH tea programme brings together the largest tea packers and the most important NGOs in the tea sector and promotes sustainable tea production in Africa and Asia, & sustainable Procurement in NW Europe and Asia.

The impact of the Tea program is concentrated in Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, India, and Vietnam. Through

IDH programme, tea businesses have found an approach to better integrate smallholders into their supply chain, leading to a doubling of the profitability of these small tea producers by 2020.

With 50,000 tea workers, the tea sector of Malawi is the second-largest employer in the country – only behind the government – but fails to provide decent working conditions, including living wages. Currently, the sector does not deliver sufficient quality and quantity to be competitive in global tea trade

Both in East-Africa (Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania), Vietnam and India, IDH has co- funded the roll-out of Farmer Field Schools and smallholder training programmes. Through these programmes buyers can secure long term quality tea supplies and small holders a sustainable living in Tanzania, in Kenya an increasing number of small holders have gained certification enabling them to increase yield and quality of production. In Malawi IDH is trying to double the wages of 50,000 tea workers by 2020.

In Vietnam, the programme disseminates best practices among tea producers to reduce toxic loading and make the tea exportable.

In India, the IDH supports smallholders and estates through TRUSTEA in improving the competitiveness of tea gardens by stimulating continuous improvement and improving the livelihoods of smallholders and estate workers.

The Ethical Tea PartnershipThe Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) is a non-profit organization consisting of member tea companies, aiming to address human rights, labour, and social issues, and promote sustainability among tea producers. Members of ETP are allowed to display this logo on their products, which is a mark of sustainability and ethics in tea production system.

ETP has expert local staff working on the ground in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, China, India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, and a London-based team. Being funded by membership subscriptions, project fees, and by accessing public funding and grants, the vast majority of our work is free to producers and farmers.ETP has more than 40 international members ranging

November 2016 33


from large international brands/retailers to small independent labels, together they account for more than 50 brands in more than 100 countries.

Rainforest Alliance Rain Forest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour'. Within agriculture, they aim for less water pollution, less soil erosion, reduced threats to the environment and human health, protection of wildlife habitat, less waste, less water use, more efficient farm management, improved conditions for farm workers, improved profitability and competitiveness for farmers, and more collaboration between farmers and conservationists.

The 'Scalability of Sustainable Tea Value Chain in Kenya' project has been implemented in Kenya among smallholder tea farmers in the West and East of Rift Valley for the last two years (2010 -2012) in an integrated and synergistic way with the IDH1 funded Rainforest Alliance–KTDA–Unilever Initiative under one umbrella project framework: 'Kenya Tea Development Agency Sustainable Agriculture Project'. It builds on experience gained in a pilot activity by Lipton and the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) which ran between 2006 and 2008, and creates synergy with Rainforest Alliance Certification which aims to enhance smallholder tea growers' access to niche markets and enhanced sustainable tea value chains.

CABICABI (Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International) is an international not-for-profit organization that improves people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment.

CABI, working with Unilever, in cooperation with the Tea Board of India, the Tea Research Association, through its technical wing of Tocklai Tea Research Institute and key industry partners is undertaking a major scientific research study, evaluating the environmental and economic feasibility of applying alternative methods to manage tea pests and diseases in India.

TRUSTEA - The India Sustainable Tea Program TRUSTEA is an ambitious initiative that has developed into a sustainability Code, largely been modelled

for domestic tea market on current internationally recognized standards while taking into consideration the Indian realities on the farms and in markets. It is being implemented across the tea industry inclusive of corporate run estates, factories, small and medium size growers, self- help groups and tea factories run by farmer cooperatives!

TRUSTEA, led by the Tea Board of India is currently jointly funded by The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and Tata Global Beverages Limited (TGBL) and advised by Rainforest Alliance (RA). Solidaridad and Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) are the Implementing partners with few other organizations vying to join the program.

Solidaridad has a team of 30 (with planting and audit backgrounds) based out of 3 Farm Support Centres (FSC s) one each in Coonoor, Siliguri and Tinsukia.

The program seeks to cover around 500 million kilograms (20% of all black tea in the world) or 42% of all tea produced in India will benefit approximately 500,000 workers, (50% of all tea workers) and 40,000 smallholders (20% of all smallholders). Till September 2016, the program has verified almost 310 million kilos of tea (CTC, Orthodox and green tea) as TRUSTEA and several marks / units are in the process of getting TRUSTEA verified.

The programme has verified 19,400 STGs on TRUSTEA (19% of them women) as of now and likely to add another three to four thousand tea growers this year. We have plans to reach another 12000-15000 growers in 2017. The TRUSTEA program has a target to reach 60,000 growers by 2020.

Conclusion As an answer to the challenges of productivity and better returns to the farmers, intensive cultivation practices was adopted in the tea industry. However, thus it has become the biggest challenge to the tea sector. World is moving from cleaning food products to clean food products. Tea safety and sustainability has become the biggest USP. The capacity building efforts of all the mentioned institutions need wider publicity and visibility.

November 201634


Unfavourable Weather Affected the 2016-17 Small Cardamom Production

Mrs. Sajna - Commodity Analyst

Indian small cardamom production for the crop year

2016-17 is expected to be around 16,500 tonnes

against the 2015-16 production of 25,000 tonnes.

Decline in small cardamom production in India is mainly

due to failure of pre-monsoon (Mar-May) rainfall and

southwest monsoon (Jun-Sep) and higher temperature

during flowering season across the major growing

regions of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

Scanty rainfall has affected crop yield during the current

season. Small cardamom yield for the current crop year

is expected to be around 220kg/ha compared to last

year yield of 340kg/ha (5-year average yield is around

230kg/ha).

Though small cardamom production for 2016-17 is

expected to decline, the total supply is estimated to be

normal, thanks to higher opening stocks. Total supply

for 2016-17 is estimated to be 17.8% lower than the

2015-16 supply. However, 2016-17 supply is 6.6% higher

than 5-year average supply of 20,576 tonnes. Domestic

consumption for the crop year 2016-17 is expected to

increase slightly compared to last year consumption of

15,500 tonnes. Exports from India are expected to be

less than the last year exports of 6,500 tonnes.

Internationally, Guatemala’s cardamom production for

the crop year 2016-17 is expected to be lesser than the

last year production of 33,000 tonnes. Production for

the current crop year declined because of unfavorable

weather conditions throughout the crop season (Apr/

Sep).

Domestic supply for the crop year 2016-17 is expected to

be normal; Guatemala’s production for the current year

is estimated to be less, so how does the price behave

during the current marketing year????

For more details on production, supply, price trend,

procurement strategy and Guatemala scenario please

contact Swapna: +91- 9342840609.

November 201636


Feeling the Pulse of Pulses in India: A Growing Concern

Mr. KV Raju, Mrs. SP Wani, Mr. Ranjit Kumar, Mr. AVR Kesava Rao, Mr. Pooran Gaur, Mr. Sameer Kumar - Regional Program-Asia, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

Pulses are Climate Smart Food

Pulses are under-recognized for their value

and their importance in diversification and

complementing other foods. They are critical for both

farmers and consumers. Pulse crops such as lentils,

beans, pigeonpea and chickpea are a critical part of

the general food basket. They are an important source

of plant-based protein and amino acids. As part of a

healthy diet, they help address obesity, manage chronic

diseases like diabetes and coronary conditions. Pulse

crops are highly water efficient that grow in drought

prone areas. They help improve soil fertility by fixing

nitrogen and promoting soil microbes. Pulses make a

positive contribution in reducing release of greenhouse

gases. They can better withstand climate change thus

reducing risk for the smallholder farmers. Multi-use crop

– food, fodder, fuel, building material – helps improve

livelihoods of farmers. Particularly important for female

farmers who are major part of the labour force are in

pulses farming.

Growing Demand in India

In recent years, India has increased its import of pulses.

Mainly owing to its rising demand and volatility in

its production. It produces a quarter of the world’s

total production, but consumes almost one-third,

thus importing 2-6 million tonnes annually to meet

the domestic demand. Pulses are an integral part of

Indian’s diet, thus very important crop group from

the perspective of nutrition as well as environmental

sustainability. Pulses are rich in complex carbohydrates,

micronutrients, protein and B-vitamins; low in fat and

rich in fiber, therefore excellent for managing cholesterol,

digestive health and regulating energy levels. Over

November 2016 37


decades, governments emphasized more on cereals

production and have neglected pulses in the country.

As a result, supply could never meet its demand and

perpetually depended on import. Since 1950's till 2005-

06, cropped area under pulses ranged between 22-23

mha, and in recent years increased to 25 mha. But total

production remained stagnant around 17 million tonnes,

while demand has increased to 27 million tonnes during

the last five years (Table 1). Moreover, several improved

and high yielding varieties of different pulses have been

developed by research institutions for different regions

in India. There are several biotic and abiotic reasons

constraining pulses production. But, overall, year 2016

is expected to a bumper year for pulses, both in terms

of area and production, expected to shot up by 15-20%,

owing to enormous efforts taken by the government of

India to promote cultivation of pulses.

Production Environment

The production of pulses in India has moved away from

irrigated areas, and as irrigation becomes available there

is a shift from pulses to fine cereals. Mostly pulses are

grown as rainfed crop or with limited irrigation, but due

to the availability of improved high yielding varieties

farmers are also growing pulses as an irrigated crop.

Moreover, pulses are poor responsive to irrigation as

compared to wheat, maize or rice. On the other hand,

when faced with uncertainty, producers base their

crop decisions on both expected (average) income and

income variance, though expected income can only be

increased by taking on more risk (through increase in

income variance). Farmers with smallholding and poor

assets, being risk averse are willing to accept lower

expected income to reduce income variance. This is also

one of the important reasons for largely widespread

smallholders in northern and eastern India to shy away

from pulses production.

Pigeonpea is unique jewel in rainfed cropping systems of

India mainly cultivated as intercrop with cotton, soybean,

cereals, pulses and ground nut. Augmenting productivity

assumes specific significance owing to nutritive value

and predominant vegetarian population in the country.

It is cultivated as rainy season crop in an area of 5 mha in

the country, but productivity is hovering around 750 kg/

ha for the last 6 decades which is unacceptable. To obtain

breakthrough in productivity ICRISAT in collaboration

with ICAR has developed hybrid pigeonpea technology

where in hybrids are realizing 20 to 30 percent higher

yields over varieties. ICRISAT is on mission to expand

adoption of hybrids by developing seed road map for

India and undertaking large scale holistic ICM based

Table 1. Pulsesin India2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Area (million ha) 24.5 23.26 25.23 NA NA

Production (Million tonnes)

17.09 18.34 19.25 17.15 17.06

Imports (Million tonnes)

2.8 3.2 3.65 4.58 5.1*

Per capita net availability (g/day)

43 41.7 43.3 47.2 N.A.

Per capita consumption (kg)

20.8 21.0 21.3 21.6 21.8

Total consumption demand (Million tonnes)

25.0 25.5 26.2 26.8 27.1

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India (2016) *during April- January

November 201638


demonstrations for creating awareness among farming community.

Rainfall during southwest monsoon (June-September of 2016) over the country as a whole was 862 mm which was 97 percent of its long period average of about 887 mm. Except for Gujarat, Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka, major pulse-growing areas have received “Normal” or “Excess” monsoon rainfall (see Figure 1, below). Operational forecast for the 2016 North-East monsoon season (October-December) rainfall over south Peninsula (Tamil Nadu, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Kerala and south interior Karnataka) is most likely to be normal. Rabi pulse cultivation mostly depends on the stored soil moisture at the end of the southwest monsoon period and as the predictions for the North-East monsoon in south Indian peninsula are also favourable, prospects for pulses in Rabi 2016 are very good.

Considering favourable rainfall (as shown in the above figure), the Indian government has made serious efforts during the year 2016, to enhance area under pulses cultivation by 2 million ha. Additionally, this year, pulses prices have become more attractive to farmers. The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, in its meeting held in Bhubaneswar (on 7th October 2016), has also decided to promote

one million ha of rice fallow lands for chickpea crop (at 600 kg/ha yield). Thus, the increased area under pulses (both in kharif and rabi crop season) in 2016, is expected to contribute an additional 2 million tonnes, thereby decreasing the pressure on imports of pulses by almost 1 to 1.5 million tonnes.

Policies at National level The Indian policymakers are facing challenges to efficiently balance food security concerns and higher growth objectives. This requires not only pushing the production frontier upward, but also ensuring strategic management of foodgrains including procurement and distribution. In India, though agriculture is a state subject, most of the agricultural policies are formulated at federal/center level, which are implemented with the help of respective state governments. Major agricultural policies like price policy, fertilizer policy, irrigation policy, agricultural market reforms, food policy, agricultural

trade policy, etc. are formulated by the central government. Over the years, several policies and schemes were initiated by the central government, which are applicable for all the relevant states; later implement it with little tweaking suiting to their conditions. Share of different states in pulses production, area, and yield levels are shown below.

November 2016 39


Demand-Supply gap The current high demand and deficit in local supply of pulses has increased India’s dependence on imports from countries like Canada, Myanmar, Australia and other African nations. The current crisis can be attributed largely to decrease in acreage under pulses, further getting these crops pushed to marginal, poorly-irrigated and low quality soils and poor availability of quality seed delivery system, resulting into lower yield. As against growing demand of pulses to the tune of 26-27 mt, the production of pulses for the last two years had declined to 17 million tonnes (Table 2). This has resulted into huge import of pulses, but also pushed the prices of pulses at record level in international market. Production of pulses in the 2015-16 crop year was estimated to be around 17.1 mt - around 20 percent less than 2013-14. The crop is cultivated on around 23-25 million hectares of land across the country. Only half of that is under irrigation.

Table 2. Import of major pulses in IndiaPulses Import in million tonnes

Top 5 import sources2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17#

Peas (Pisumsativum) 1.33 1.95 2.25 0.63 Canada (61%), Russia (15%), USA (7%), France (5%), Luthuania (4%)

Chickpeas 0.28 0.42 1.03 0.02 Australia (74%), Russia (16%), Tanzania (3%), Myanmar (1%), USA (1%)

Moong/ Urad 0.62 0.62 0.58 0.23 Myanmar (70%), Kenya (7%), Australia (6%), Tanzania (3%), Uzbekistan (3%)

Lentil 0.71 0.82 1.26 0.03 Canada (90%), USA (7%), Australia (3%)

Pigeon peas 0.47 0.58 0.46 0.12 Myanmar (46%), Tanzania (19%), Mozambique (15%), Malawi (13%), Sudan (3%)

Total pulses 3.65 4.58 5.80 1.09

Source: Department of Commerce, Government of India, #April- June, 2016-17

References:IMD. 2016a. 2016 Southwest Monsoon End of Season Report.

Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), Ministry of Earth

Sciences. (MoES). http://www.imd.gov.in/pages/press_release_

view.php?ff=20161010_pr_60 accessed on 17 Oct 2016.

IMD. 2016b. Forecast Outlook for the 2016 NE Monsoon Season

(October–December) Rainfall over South Peninsula. Earth

System Science Organization (ESSO), Ministry of Earth Sciences.

(MoES).http://www.imd.gov.in/pages/press_release_view.

php?ff=20160921_pr_56 accessed on 17 Oct 2016. DES. 2016.

5-Year Estimates of Food Grains (2010-11 to 2014-15). Directorate

of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture,

Cooperation and Farmers Welfare. Ministry of Agriculture and

Farmers Welfare, Government of India. http://eands.dacnet.nic.

in/PDF/5-Year_foodgrain2010-15.xls (Accessed on 18 October

2016).

November 201640


Need for Promoting Use of Plastics in Horticulture

Dr. Ashok S Alur - Special Officer and Dr. D. L. Maheswar - Vice Chancellor, UHS, Bagalkot

Introduction:The advances in technological developments have modified so much the course of controlled

environment, horticulture in the production of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals due to the recent widespread use of plastic films and related materials in horticulture production. The plastic films are used extensively for the design and covering of new greenhouses; the covering of old conventional glass-greenhouses; for air-inflated, self-contained, or supported bubble houses; as interior curtains and external barriers to reduce heat loss in the conventional greenhouses; and for the containment of CO2 -enriched atmospheres. The plastic films also are used in the construction of high and low tunnels or covers for many row crops, protective covering of seed beds,

Dr. Ashok S Alur - Special Officer

and for soil mulches. Plastic tubes, laterals, and drip lines are important components of drip irrigation systems for high-value horticultural crop production. Drip irrigation is often a component with plastic soil mulches, crop rowcovers, and plastic greenhouses. Recent introductions using plastic films include peat modules, bag cultures, rockwool, the nutrient-film technique, and non-variable root environments for field-grown tomatoes. Plastic components contribute to the precise control of top and root environments of the crop plants. In many modern greenhouses, all plant growing structures, other than the root media itself are plastic.

Benefits of plastics:The use of plastics has proved beneficial to promote the judicious utilization of important natural resources like soil, water, sunlight and temperature. Use of plastics in agriculture or ‘Plasticulture’ provides several benefits like; • Effective control on pest and disease infestations • Improves the economic efficiency of production

systems • User friendly maintenance• Efficient water and energy management • Reduced temperature fluctuations • Reduced moisture fluctuations • Precise irrigation and nutrient applications and

reduced wastage • Reduction in soil erosion

Use of plasticulture in micro irrigation:Micro Irrigation One of the major sectors of application of plastics in horticulture is in the area of water management and conservation. The drip or micro irrigation includes emitting water by drippers, micro-sprinklers, mini-sprinklers, micro-jets, misters, fan jets, micro-sprayers foggers, emitting pipes, micro-tubes and similar other emitting pipes. Micro irrigation Technology can be used both on the surface as well as sub-surface areas which helps in increasing productivity by 30

November 2016 41


Dr. D. L. Maheswar - Vice Chancellor

to 100 percent with 50 to 70 percent saving of water. There is enhanced water use efficiency (WUE). Micro irrigation saves the energy as compared to sprinkler and conventional methods. Sprinkler irrigation enables water to be sprinkled with the help of a network of pipes and sprinklers (nozzles) on the plant foliage. Sprinkler irrigation system has become popular as a method of irrigation, especially under undulating topography, particularly for light textured soils for a variety of horticultural crops. The fertilizer use efficiency can also be enhanced when it is applied through drip irrigation. Increased productivity with saving of 30 to 40 per cent of fertilizer can be achieved through fertigation.

Initially, the central government launched a scheme on use of plastics in agriculture during the 8th plan, duly earmarking 200 crore for drip irrigation. The scheme was continued during the 9th plan under the title "Development of Horticulture" through Plasticulture Applications with an outlay of INR. 375 crore out of which INR. 300 crore was for drip irrigation. During 2003, the central government constituted a Task Force on Micro Irrigation to assess the scope and potential of the technology and to suggest strategies for its

promotion in the country. The Task Force gave several recommendations for promoting Micro- irrigation in the country. Based on the recommendations of the Task Force on Micro irrigation several initiatives have been taken up by the central and state governments which has resulted in brining of lot of area under micro irrigation. The plasticulture programme, which started as a subsidy scheme is now a demand driven program in Karnataka and other states like Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. As a result of all these efforts, India has now emerged as one of the leading countries in using micro irrigation technology and plasticulture.

Plasticulture for popularizing Fertigation:Fertigation need to be popularized for intensive and economical crop production, where both water and nutrients are supplied to growing crops through micro irrigation system. Fertigation provides major and micro nutrients directly to the active root zone, thus minimising losses of expensive nutrients, which ultimately helps in improving productivity and quality of farm produce apart from savings in the time and labour. Research studies have shown that fertigation economizes use of fertilizer and water to the tune of 40-60 percent. Farmers are using fertigation in grapes, pomegranate and banana crops in Karnataka and of late are being followed by small and resource poor farmers due to some schemes of Government of Karnataka. Fertigation is ideally suited for hi-tech horticultural production. Though micro irrigation has found widespread use in plantation and horticultural crop production, fertigation is confined to few high value crops.

Plasticulture in promoting protected cultivation:Optimum growth of plants is governed by the availability and use of soil, water and sunlight. However, climatic variations often tend to have adverse effects on the yield and production of crops. There is a need to focus our efforts on harnessing the natural resources through artificial means for increasing crop productivity. One such technology is protected cultivation or green house cultivation. Greenhouses are framed or inflated structures covered with plastic material or glass in which crops can be grown under partially controlled environment which is large enough to permit normal cultural operation manually. Large greenhouses are usually constructed for export oriented flower production. Greenhouse technology was well adapted

November 201642


in Europe and USA by the end of the nineteenth century. Currently, China and Japan are the leading countries. Other countries where green house technology is being widely used are Netherlands, Israel, Canada, Spain and Egypt besides some Arab countries. Green house technology is currently catching up in India also. Green houses are suitable for growing a variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers. In addition to temperature control, there will be protection from wind, soil warming and in some cases, protection against insects, pest and diseases, thus helping in enhanced maturity of crop, increased yields, improved quality of produce and in some instances it can reduce the use of insecticides and pesticides. The total time for preparation of seedlings and cuttings also gets reduced significantly by the use of green house technology. Greenhouse is also essential for plant propagation through tissue culture. Considering the advantages of greenhouse, there is ample scope for encouraging area under protected cultivation of high value flowers and vegetables out of season, both in the temperate and tropical climate. However, profitability in green house cultivation will depend upon the choice of greenhouse structure, selection of crops and varieties and production technologies adopted. While the conventional greenhouses are simple structures, the hitech greenhouses have facilities for controlling light intensity, temperature, humidity with complete automation of the system. The constraint in adoption of green house is mainly the high investment required on equipments.

Indian horticulture, which was hitherto an individual activity, became corporate driven, which could sense the potential and scope the modern protected cultivation technology. Refinement in protected cultivation technology is being carried out in different ICAR institutions, state horticulture and agricultural universities. Different designs of glasshouse and polyhouses are being developed. Besides above-ground greenhouses, underground green houses were also being tried. Polytunnels and poly crop cover has also been tried.

Plasticulture in Mulching:Plastics are popularly used for mulching in horticultural production. Mulching has been helpful not only in preventing moisture loss through evaporation from the

soil and lowering the temperature, but also in reducing nutrient losses by leaching and weed control where chemical fertilizers and weedicides are used. Mulching also reduces run-off, increase penetration of rainwater, controls erosion, corrects the chemical balance of the soil and reduces damage done by pests and diseases. Soil moisture could be conserved through mulching either with black polyethylene or locally available mulches, growing cover crops or inter-culturing in the orchards to check soil erosion and runoff of rain water.

Plasticulture in promotion of sub-surface drainage system:Sub-surface drainage is a proven technology in reclaiming saline and water logged land and restoring the productivity of the land to its full potential. The sub-surface drainage is designed to lower the water table to a level, which allows optimum root development and prevents the capillary movement of salts into the root zone. The basic principle of sub-soil drainage is that a set of corrugated/perforated PVC pipes is laid in a systematic order to collect excess from the water logged soil. The water so collected is led into a collector pipe system, which in turn drains into the main drains. Some of the advantages of sub surface drainage systems are: (a) useful in removing soil salinity and reducing water logging (ii) helps to control run-off and flood waters (iii) It requires less maintenance and long life and most reliable system. This technology needs to be promoted in the areas covered under horticultural crops which are affected by soil salinity and water logging.

Way Forward:Though the use of plastics in Indian horticulture was late compared to different countries of the world, its promotion should be top on the priority programmes of the both central and state governments. The plasticulture based technologies can help the farmers in better utilization of resources in different geographical locations for production of good quality horticulture produce which can fetch better prices for the farmers. It also opens up avenues in export of quality produce and processing sectors. The different programmes on use of plastics should be promoted more rigorously. The research institutions need to pay more emphasis on use of plastics in horticulture production.

43


November 2016

CORPORATE NEWS

ITC Foods unveils Sunbean Gourmet Coffee in ChennaiFMCG Company, ITC Foods launched Sunbean Gourmet Coffee in Chennai. The coffee is available in two choices, Nicamalai -- a blend of beans

from Nicaragua & Anamalai hills -- and Panagiri -blended with and Arabicas from Baba Budangiri hills in Coorg. Sunbean Gourmet Coffee was first introduced at ITC Sonar in Kolkata and is now available at ITC luxury hotels in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Our aim was to create an ultra-premium gourmet coffee experience for discerning coffee consumers in India. We have achieved this by meticulous blending carefully chosen beans from across the world with the best India have to offer. Hence, India's best, world's finest. This was made possible by the unique institutional strengths of ITC. Recently, the company forayed into launching premium chocolates through the brand Fabelle. Recent additions to the company's product portfolio are ghee and juices.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Punjab Agricultural University signs MoU with FieldFresh to promote crop research

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and FieldFresh Foods, a joint venture between

Bharti Enterprises & Del Monte Pacific Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to carry out a corn productivity research programme. The MoU follows the agreement signed recently between Cambridge University and Bharti Foundation to fund the research Programme. The collaborative research will examine the relationship between the genetic make-up, environmental factors and crop management of corn in order to develop a production system that is more resilient and helps reduce production costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The research findings of the project will be further translated into guidance for small farmers in India to promote sustainability, financial stability and to eradicate food shortages.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

FCL launches Kosh Oats with aim of making India adopt oats as third grain

Future Consumer Ltd (FCL), a part of the Future Group, launched Kosh, an oats brand, in Mumbai. Kosh was introduced with the objective of making

India adopt oats as its third staple after rice and wheat. With Kosh, India will soon witness a change in the way oats are consumed and sold in the country.

The launch of Kosh oats is an attempt to set a trend in the food space by introducing it as the third grain of India. In the next three months, we plan to launch the products in countries such as the United States, the Middle East and Europe. Kosh will be distributed extensively through various modern retail stores across India. It will also be distributed through general trade in 12 key cities to begin with and go national in the coming months.

Source: http://fnbnews.com

Godrej Nature’s Basket launches wellness range Healthy Alternatives

Godrej Nature’s Basket (GNB), India’s pioneering gourmet retail destination for fine foods from across the world, launched its wellness

range, Healthy Alternatives. It was unveiled by Avani Davda, managing director, GNB.

Healthy Alternatives, as the name indicates, comprises a wide selection of nutritious products such as organic grocery, super grains and flours, natural fruit chips, roasted high-protein snacks, gluten-free super-grain pastas, Greek yoghurt, black and red rice, forest elephant rice, floral honey, free-range eggs, tea blends, cow’s ghee, canola oil, olive oils, seed and seed powders and more. According to a research undertaken by GNB, the overall growth in the health foods category in the last one year is pegged at 89 per cent.


CORPORATE NEWS

44


November 2016

Mother Dairy launches Premium high-cream milk with 7% fat content

Mother Dairy launched Premium high-cream milk with a fat content of seven percent and nine percent solids-non-fat. It will be available across the Greater

Mumbai region in 500ml and one-litre pack sizes, priced at INR 27 and INR 53, respectively.

“The product offers 15 percent extra malai (cream) to consumers. The rich fat content makes this variant a perfect fit for preparation of homemade sweets, curd, ghee, etc. apart from regular usage, thereby making every day delicious. The brand will soon be launching a widespread campaign to enhance the awareness levels amongst the target audience. The company, through its extensive retail network across the region, markets a complete range of milk variants, including full-cream milk, toned milk, double-toned milk and cow milk.


USSEC, SOPA launch white paper on soy nutrition in coordination with NIN

A White Paper on Soy Nutrition was launched in New Delhi by the US Soybean Export

Council (USSEC), the Soybean Processors’ Association of India (SOPA) and the Soy Food Promotion and Welfare Association (SFPWA) in coordination with the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad.

The aim of the launch is to promote soy-based nutrition in public-funded programmes, the food processing industry, health and nutrition professionals, academicians, scientists, agricultural experts and soy food processing industry urged the Indian government to introduce soy products in the feeding and social welfare programmes which will make a huge impact on reducing malnutrition in the country.

Soybean offers a great potential for developing value-added health foods using appropriate processing technologies by the soy food processing industry. It

can play a vital role in improving the nutrition status of millions of urban and rural people in India. The white paper would act as the road map for the future prospects of improving food and nutritional security. The global soy food demand is expected to grow manifold in the coming years.


SEA, Solidaridad ink MoU to create consensus on oilseed sustainability

The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) and the Hong Kong-based Solidaridad Network Asia Limited signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Goa to

promote multi-pronged strategies and create a national consensus on sustainability issues in the oilseed and palm oil sectors in India.

The tie-up aims to develop a sustainability framework based on Indian realities for economically and ecologically sustainable production and trade of oilseeds and vegetable oils. Solidaridad, which has active programmes in all major palm oil producing and consuming countries, would further facilitate dialogue between SEA and other relevant stakeholders on oilseeds in Asia. The vegetable oil and oilseed sector hold immense business opportunities and has crucial role in the rural economy, employment and food security. However, it faces several sustainability issues related to social, environmental and economic aspects. India, being the largest importer of palm oil, has a great role to play in the palm oil market, with large potential as well as challenges to face. Overall, it is expected that the SEA–Solidaridad partnership would strengthen the efforts, create an enabling environment and synergistic value, co-create solutions based on win-win scenarios and revitalise coherence under the multi-stakeholder framework towards the inclusive and sustainable oil palm and edible oil sector transformation in India as well as in other Asian countries.


46

AGRI POLICY NEWSwww.CommodityIndia.comCOMPREHENSIVE AGRI-COMMODITY INTELLIGENCE

November 2016

Cabinet Secretary reviews availability and prices of essential commodities

Cabinet Secretary, Shri PK Sinha reviewed availability and the prices of essential commodities at a high-level meeting with Secretaries of Consumer Affairs, Agriculture, Food & Public Distribution, Commerce,

Expenditure and others. It was observed that the recent measures taken by the Central Government have helped to contain prices of most of the pulses, which are showing declining trends, and other essential commodities except Chana and Sugar. Cabinet Secretary directed Department of Consumer Affairs to consider all options to check the prices of both the commodities. He said that distribution of the Chana dal and other pulses should be taken up through postal network.

Consumer Affairs Secretary was also asked to pursue states to impose stock limits and to carry dehoarding drives to ensure availability of all the essential commodities during ongoing festival season. The meeting also reviewed distribution of pulses to the State Government from the buffer stock.

Source: http://pib.nic.in

Govt to sell chana through commodity exchange NCDEXThe government decided to sell chana (chickpea) from its buffer stock through the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) to boost domestic supplies

and cool prices, while exploring the option to distribute pulses through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) outlets.

Pulses prices, has recently crossed INR 200 per kg, and has been declining substantially and now selling at an average price of INR 75-120 per kg in major cities of the country. Subsidized pulses are already being distributed through retail outlets of Kendriya Bhandar, Safal and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India) in Delhi and National Capital Region.

The centre is creating a buffer stock of 2 million tonnes of pulses through domestic procurement and imports to make intervention in the market in case of price rise. It has asked state governments to lift pulses from buffer stock and sell those to consumers at cheaper rates. The government will import 90,000 tonnes of chana through state-owned Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India, and examine import duty on sugar to boost supply and check prices of the two essential commodities that continue to rule high.

Source: http://www.livemint.com

State, ISMA not on same page about sugar estimateSugar prices in India depend to a large extent on supply from the leading producer, Maharashtra, but the state government and the Indian Sugar Mills Association

(ISMA) differ considerably in their estimates of this year’s output, making forecasting prices hazardous. ISMA has pegged drought-ridden Maharashtra’s 2016-17 sugar production at 62.7 lakh tones, while the state’s sugar commissionerate expects output of just 50.28 lakh tonnes. In 2015-16, Maharashtra had produced 83.4 lakh tonnes of sugar and India’s total output was 251 lakh tonnes.

According to ISMA’s first advance estimate of 2016-17, India’s sugar output is expected to decline 7% to 233.7 lakh tonnes this year. The main difference between the estimates of the two bodies is between the area projections. ISMA has taken cane area at 8.10 lakh hectares, while the state government’s estimate is 6.33 lakh hectares.

The Centre government stopped the export incentives scheme mid-way and turned its focus to price control measures such as imposition of stock limit, first on traders and then on millers, and imposition of 20% duty on sugar export. Maharashtra’s sugar millers said that productivity of cane can be higher than the government’s estimate of 78 tonnes per hectare due to good rainfall and delayed beginning of crushing operations.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

For the industry, by the industry

09-11 Feb 2017

Grand Copthorne Hotel, Singapore

Host Partner

Held In Supported By

For the industry, by the industry

09-11 Feb 2017

Grand Copthorne Hotel, Singapore

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ARRIVALS & PRICES

48


November 2016

Arrivals and Prices of Major Commodities

Source :Chart-1:Trade Source, Chart-2:Krishi marata vahini, Chart-3,8_Krishi marata vahini, Chart-5,7 -Trade Sources Chart4: MSAMB, Chart6: RSAMB, Chart9,10:NHRDF

ARRIVALS & PRICES

49


November 2016

Disclaimer : Prices & arrivals are taken from the authenticated sources. Every care is taken to remove any discrepancy in data. However, www.CommodityIndia.com is not responsible for any divergence.

Source : Chart11:Cotton Association of India, Chart-12,13 ,14 Trade Sources, Chart 15 RBI Reference Rate Chart 16 Mcx Spot, Chart 17,18 Ncdex Spot, Chart 19,20 Trader Sources

SPOT PRICES

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November 2016

Quarterly averages Monthly averages

July-Sep Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun July-Sep July August September

Commodity Unit 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016Energy

Crude oil, Brent a/ $/bbl 50 43.40 34.04 46 45.8 45.01 46.01 46.02Crude oil, Dubai a/ $/bbl 49.09 42.20 30.06 42.09 43.04 42.06 43.07 43.07Crude oil, West Texas Int. a/ $/bbl 46.04 41.20 33.02 45.05 44.09 44.07 44.08 45.02Natural gas, Europe a/ $/mmbtu 6.9 6.30 4.8 4.1 4.4 4.50 4.50 4.21Natural gas, US a/ $/mmbtu 2.8 2.10 2 2.1 2.85 2.08 2.80 2.97Natural gas LNG, Japan a/ $/mmbtu 8.9 9.10 8 6.3 6.51 6.00 6.03 6.60

Softs & BeveragesCoffee, Arabica (ICO indicator price) b/ ¢/kg 336 331.00 331.00 349 379 379.00 369.00 389.00Coffee, robusta (ICO indicator price) b/ ¢/kg 187 179.00 165.00 184 205 200.00 202.00 213.00Sugar EU domestic b/ ¢/kg 36 36.00 36.00 37 36 36.00 37.00 37.00Sugar US domestic b/ ¢/kg 54 56.00 57.00 61 62 62.00 63.00 62.00Sugar, world b/ ¢/kg 27 32.00 31.00 38 45 43.00 44.00 47.00Tea, Colombo auctions b/ ¢/kg 283 285.00 282.00 297 329 310.00 322.00 310.00Tea, Kolkata auctions b/ ¢/kg 281 254.00 189.00 253 264 280.00 270.00 249.00Tea, Mombasa auctions b/ ¢/kg 295 291.00 238.00 214 224 231.00 220.00 222.00

Fats and Oils Coconut oil - Indonesia (c.i.f-Rotterdam) b/ $/mt 1067 1110.00 1273.00 1531 1528 1508.00 1537.00 1547.00

Copra - Indonesia (c.i.f-N.W.Europe) $/mt 708 738.00 855.00 1019 1017 1008.00 1041.00 1025.00Groundnut oil - any origin (c.i.f-Rotterdam) b/ $/mt 1193 1297 1277.00 1550 1648 1673 NT 1620

Palm oil - Malaysia (c.i.f-N.W.Europe) b/ $/mt 574 569 631.00 704 715 651 736 756Palmkernel oil- Malaysia (c.i.f-Rotterdam) $/mt 802 830 1032.00 1283 1358 1274 1396 1436

Soybean meal-any origin (c.i.f-Rotterdam) b/ $/mt 398 358 328.00 419 406 443 404 373

Soybean oil- Dutch b/ $/mt 734 743 749.00 795 810 789 812 829Soybeans-US (c.i.f. Rotterdam) b/ $/mt 385 374 370.00 424 417 434 414 405

GrainsBarley - Canadaian b/ $/mt 200.03 187.1 182.08 171.07 142.08 155 138 135.05Maize- US b/ $/mt 169.03 167.2 159.09 171.01 153.04 161.08 150.06 148.04Rice, Thailand, 5% broken white rice b/ $/mt 374 368 379.00 423 413.07 442 415 384Rice, Thailand, 25% broken white rice b/ $/mt 361.7 359 370.00 407.07 401.07 424 403 378Rice, Vietnam 5% 375.8 355.7 361.07 373.06 350.06 361.06 347.05 342.07Sorghum, US $/mt 190 176.03 173.09 173.09 151.09 173.09 141.01 140.09Wheat, Canada $/mt NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NRWheat, US, Hard Red Winter b/ $/mt 183.3 174.5 190.50 177.07 150.05 151.06 149.08 150.08Wheat ,US ,Soft Red Winter $/mt 196.04 200.6 190.00 189.09 161.01 166.5 159.09 157.06

Other Raw MaterialsCotton A Index b/ ¢/kg 156 155.0 148.0 157 176 179.0 177.0 172.0Rubber RSS3, SGP b/ ¢/kg 146 126.0 131.0 166 157 159.0 155.0 157.0Rubber TSR20, SGP (New) ¢/kg 134 120.0 115.0 138 131 128.0 130.0 136.0

Metals and MineralsAluminum (LME) b/ $/mt 1592 1494 1514.0 1571 1519 1629 1641 1589Copper(LME) b/ $/mt 6057 4885 4675.0 4733 4778 4865 4579 4716Gold (UK) $/toz 1193 1105.0 1181 1260 1334 1337.0 1340.0 1327.0Iron ore, spot, cfr China $/dmt 58 47 48.0 56 59 57 61 58Lead (LME) b/ $/mt 1942 1682 1738.0 1716 1870 1835 1833 1939Nickel (LME) b/ $/mt 13056 9423 8508.0 8815 10258 10263 10366 10176Tin (LME) b/ $/mt 15590 15077 15439 16900 18574 17826 18405 19468Zinc (LME) b/ $/mt 2192 1612 1677 1916 2250 2183 2777 2288

a/ Included in the energy index (2000=100) b/ Included in the non-energy index (2000=100) c/ Steel not included in the non-energy index $ = US dollar, ¢ = US cent, bbl = barrel, dmtu = Dry Metric Ton Unit, kg = kilogram, mmbtu = million British thermal units mt = metric ton, toz = troy ounce, n.a-Not available, SGP = Singapore

Source: World Bank

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