India and Malaysia Agreed to Promote Cooperation in Renewable Energy

Press Information Bureau: Nov 09, 2012India and Malaysia have agreed to promote cooperation in renewable energy, especially in the areas of biomass and biogas, micro hydropower, solar energy and wind power. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed in the capital yesterday. The MoU was signed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister of New and Renewable Energy and Data’ Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Malaysia.

Both the countries also agreed to form a Joint Working Group for better coordination through joint research on subjects of mutual interest, exchange and training of scientific and technical personnel, exchange of available scientific and technologies information and data, organization of workshops, seminars and working groups, transfer of know-how, technology and equipment, on non-commercial basis etc.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah briefed his Malaysian counterpart on the progress made by India in renewable energy with special reference to the National Solar Mission launched in 2010 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. He also briefed the visiting Minister on the recently concluded International Seminar on Energy Access and India’s efforts in promoting energy for remote and un-electrified areas.

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Steps to Promote Investment in Agriculture

Press Information Bureau: Dec 12, 2012The Government of India has launched several schemes to increase public investment in agriculture sector, such as, the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize(ISOPOM), Gramin Bhandaran Yojana etc.

In addition, Government has substantially improved the availability of farm credit and increased Minimum Support Price to improve investment in the farm sector.

Allocation of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has increased considerably from Rs.5560.00 crore in 2007-08 to Rs.20208.00 crore in 2012-13 facilitating more investment in agriculture sector.

Besides, the Government has issued a “Framework for Public Private Partnership for Integrated Agricultural Development” under RKVY for facilitating large scale integrated projects, led by private sector in the agriculture and allied sectors, with a view to aggregating farmers and integrating the agricultural supply chain.

FDI, upto 100% is permitted, under the automatic route, subject to conditions, as mentioned in para 6.2.1.1 of Circular 1 of 2012 – Consolidated FDI Policy, in the following agricultural activities:

Floriculture, Horticulture, Apiculture and Cultivation of Vegetables & Mushrooms under controlled conditions; Development and production of Seeds and planting material; Animal Husbandry (including breeding of dogs), Pisciculture, Aquaculture, under controlled conditions; and Services related to agro and allied sectors.

This information was given by Shri Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

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