The Hindu Business Line : Ministry to hold talks with US team on nigerseed exports

In a bid to renew focus on market development in the US for value-added Indian nigerseeds, and provide Indian exporters with a better turf, the Union Agriculture Ministry is scheduled to hold talks with a visiting US team on Friday for dedicated facilities in India for heat treatment (sterilisation) of export quality nigerseeds.

As per the guidelines for certification of heat treatment facilities for nigerseed exports to the US by the Government of India, nigerseed from any foreign country shall be permitted import into the US subject to the phytosanitary requirements that the seed at or before the time of arrival at the first port of entry shall be heat-treated for possible infestation with noxious weeds or prohibited pathogens in accordance with the applicable provisions of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) PPQ (Plant Protection Quarantine) Treatment Manual.

USDA accreditation

Exported Indian nigerseeds are allowed to be sold in the US mainland only after the USDA-stipulated mandated ‘ETO’ sterilisation treatment.

According to trade sources, the US team is arriving in New Delhi on Friday for a two-day visit to discuss and explore the possibilities of setting up such ETO facilities in India.

At present, Indian exporters of nigerseeds need to take their consignments to Singapore for the ‘ETO’ treatment before exports to the US, as mandated by the USDA.

Talking to Business Line from his office in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Mr Sanjay Jain of RSV Exim, an exporter of nigerseeds to the US, said if such a facility for heat-treatment of nigerseeds prior to exports could be created in India itself, it may result in cost savings for exporters and also help in greater value addition. As of now, no such facility in India has the approval of the US authorities.

Pointing out that Indian manufacturers/exporters of nigerseeds are keen to set up such heat treatment facilities, the Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), nodal agency for nigerseed exports, has urged the Agriculture Ministry to take up the matter with the US delegation.

The member exporters, according to the council, are keen to understand the norms and procedures required to be followed for obtaining approval of the USDA accreditation for such processing units.

Niger is indigenous to Ethiopia, where it is grown in rotation to cereals and pulses. It is a seed crop cultivated in India, Ethiopia, Myanmar and Nepal, and is imported by the USA primarily as bird feed.

Indian exports of the seed during 2005-06 was around Rs 60 crore, down from the Rs 64.74-crore in 2004-05.

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