Trade Section

1.Name of the Project/scheme/Programme	Capacity Building to enhance Competitiveness of Indian Agriculture and Registration of Organic Products Abroad
2.Objectives	To build capacities in system such that it is able to withstand the forces of globalization and competition
3.Year of inception	2006-07
4.Project period	Scheme will continue in 11^th Five year Plan
5.Districts/Area Covered	Whole of India
6.Project Funding agency.	Govt. of India
7.Project/Scheme components	The following activities will be eligible for financial assistance under the Scheme 1. Research studies/consultancy on various aspects of the international competitiveness of Indian agriculture. 2.Support for awareness, creation and training programmes relating to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and related Agreement among farmers/agricultural scientists/administrators in the country, preferably by State Agricultural Universities. 3. Support to Farmers’/Agri Related Organizations for creation of computerized commodity specific market information system 4.Creation of product specific/country specific database on Sanitary/Phyto-sanitary measures, Quality Standards affecting trade in agriculture products. 5.Creation/improvement of infrastructure in Laboratories engaged in examining standards for agricultural products including the work relating to MRL testing. 6.Use of ICT and development/purchase of software on WTO matters by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (Trade Division). 7.Reimbursement of Organic Product Registration charges abroad and liaison with embassies abroad n matters pertaining to market intelligence and Trade.
8.Funding Pattern	Other Administrative expenses Advertising & Publicity. Research studies, consultancy, training, creation/improvement of infrastructure in laboratories, use of ICT and development/purchase of software on WTO matters etc .Reimbursement of Organic Product Registration charges abroad and liaison with embassies abroad on matters pertaining to market intelligence and trade. TOTAL	Total outlay Rs.1.00 Crore RS. 30 .00Lakhs Rs. 5.00 Lakhs Rs. 35.00 Lakhs . Rs. 30.00 Lakhs Rs. 1.00 Crore
9. Implementing Agency/Organization	Trade Division, Deptt. of A & C
10. Fund flow mechanism from GOI to implementing Agency
11.State-wise and Year-wise projections (Financial & Physical)during Xth Plan	No State-wise projections. Financial Projection for 2006-07 Rs. 1.00 Crore
12.State-wise and Year-wise Physical Achievements	The scheme has been approved in 2006-07. There is no expenditure so far. This is the starting year of the scheme
13.Financial targets (b) Physical achievements	No targets fixed
14.Component-wise subsidy (Year-wise)	Not yet decided
15.Subsidy/Grant provided to beneficiaries (farmers/NGO/other Organization )
16.Operational Guidelines(Copy in Hindi & English	As per Annexure (A) in English & Hindi
17.Published material (Hindi & English)	NIL
18. Benefits to farming community/beneficiary	To build capacities in system such that is able to withstand the force of globalization and competition.
19.Main findings of Evaluation	The Scheme is being implemented and would continue in the 11^th Five year Plan
20.Any other details not covered above.
Contact person for more details (name, address, Tel.Nos. Fax & Email).	Shri Rajiva Kumar, US(Trade) Tele.No. 23388795

GUIDELINES/ NORMS

SCHEME NAME: Capacity Building to Enhance the Competitiveness of Indian Agriculture and Registration of Organic Products Abroad

INTRODUCTION

The planning process in India has accorded high priority to the development of the agriculture sector as it supports two thirds of the population and contributes substantially to the GDP of the country. The need for capacity building to benefit from the WTO rules has been often emphasized. This process requires substantial resources in terms of personnel and funds. In the light of the emerging World Trade Order as a consequence of the WTO provisions, there is a need to build up appropriate strategy interventions at the National Level to impart buoyancy to the exports of agricultural products.

PROPOSED SCHEME

This scheme aims to address some limited micro-level capacity creation issues. The capacity building under this scheme may be in the form of either academic, relevant research or in the form of creation of physical assets critical to agriculture in the international context. The scheme shall be operated on a cost sharing basis with State Governments or other private, semi government, non-government organizations. In the formulation of the scheme, no provision has been made for establishment related expenses including hiring of additional manpower. The proposed activities under the scheme have been outlined below.

SCOPE: The following activities will be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme:

· Research studies/ consultancy on various aspects of the international competitiveness of Indian agriculture.

· Support for awareness, creation and training programmes relating to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and related Agreements among farmers/agricultural scientists/administrators in the country, preferably by State Agricultural Universities.

· Support to Farmers’/ Agri Related Organizations for creation of computerized commodity specific market information systems.

· Creation of product specific/country specific database on Sanitary / Phyto-sanitory measures, Quality Standards and Environmental Standards affecting trade in agricultural products.

· Creation/improvement of infrastructure in Laboratories engaged in examining standards for agricultural products including the work relating to MRL testing.

· Use of ICT and development/purchase of software on WTO matters by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (Trade Division).

· Reimbursement of Organic Product Registration charges abroad and liaison with embassies abroad on matters pertaining to market intelligence and trade.

ELIGIBLE AGENCIES:

Under the Scheme, financial assistance may be given to:

· Departments of Central Government/State Governments and Organization of Central/State Governments

· Commodity Boards

· Apex recognized trade bodies, farmers’ organizations, research institutions etc.

· Individual entrepreneurs (only for reimbursement of organic product registration charges)

CRITERIA FOR SANCTION:

The scheme is based on the premise that capacity building shall be at the micro level for improvement in the capability of Indian products to compete effectively in international markets. The proposals must meet these criteria:

· The proposal should not duplicate the efforts of any existing agency or organization in the same field.

· Assistance under the scheme shall not be provided for any project, which is already being assisted under any other programme/scheme of Central Government.

· The funding for the projects shall be on cost sharing basis. However, the Empowered Committee may consider projects for full financing also on merit.

SCRUTINY AND SANCTION:

There shall be an Empowered Committee (E.C.), which will consider and approve the proposals. The E.C. will also monitor the implementation of the sanctioned proposals.