India possesses varied agro-climatic zones favourable for cultivation of every commercially important plant species, ranging from temperate orchard crops to tropical plantation crops. We also have the largest acreage of irrigated land in the world and there is immense potential for increasing productivity. The country also has skilled manpower available at cost effective prices.

Though we have achieved some major landmarks like being the largest producer of milk, second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, third largest producer of foodgrains and also one of the major producer of a number of crops like spices, plantation crops, marine produce etc. Still India is not on agro-power, because of a number of factors.

A plethora of problems act as hurdles to India's becoming the world food hub. These include, slowing down of productivity, indiscriminate use of chemicals while water salinity and problems of pesticide residues have become major concerns. Farmers mostly grow table varieties, which are not suitable for processing. There is no scientific grading system for table and processable varieties.

Agri marketing and Mandi yards lack the minimum infrastructure for proper and scientific bulk storage, transparent price setting and trading.

This is compounded by restriction on movement of food items, multiplicity of legislations and implementing agencies, credit not being available to growers for improvement in farming systems at low rates and easy terms. Efforts have yet to be made in the area of building a database on soil type and its productivity.

In view of this PHDCCI has constituted an Agribusiness Committee and has identified it as a focus area for work during the year.

To review the status of agriculture and food processing industry and organise Seminars, Workshops, Interactive Sessions and meetings with experts, Training programmes to achieve the above mentioned objectives. To formulate suggestions/ make recommendations on policy issues To build a database on agriculture and agro-industries including packaging and infrastructure for agro-based industries.

COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE

Representatives of different processing industries like cereal, fruits and vegetables, beverages, dairy, poultry, confectionary, bakery, manufacturers of snacks and convenient foods, millers, traders, exporters, and representatives of other industry associations as well as the Government have been included in the list as members and special invitees.

Contract Farming

Organic Farming - Vermiculture, Bio fertilizers and Bio pesticides

Issues relating to Marketing of Agri-produce - APMC Act, Essential Commodities Act, Food Storage and Distribution, Commodity Futures, Commodity Exchanges, etc.

Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Agro processin industries

Horticulture and Floriculture

Storage Warehousing and Cold Chains

Rationalization of Food Regulations and Legislations - Integrated Food Law, Contract Farming Bill, Reduction in Mandi/market fee, etc.

Exports of agri produce

FDI in Food Processing Industries and Food Retail trade

Use of Information Technology in Farm sector

Packaging and Refrigeration Technologies

US Bio-terrorism Act and its impact on India's food exports to the US

Delegations to Europe or South Africa for enhancing bilateral trade in food between these countries

Dissemination of information and spreading awareness about emerging topical issues, policy changes through Events and written communication to members.

Organizing meetings between the representatives of Government and industry and one to one business meetings with foreign delegates

Preparing papers / speeches / press notes / reports

Collecting and analyzing data

Preparing project proposals, budgets and implementation reports

Preparation of financial proposals for assistance from Government, donor agencies

Liaison with NGOs, foreign missions in India and abroad and government agencies

Facilitating contacts between foreign entrepreneurs and Indian exporters

Making representations to the Government at various levels for bringing about major policy changes,

Member servicing and trade facilitation ¢ Identification of prospective members and membership development