India-Germany+India-Egypt+India-Africa+ICRAF on Agro-forestry+Small Hydro Plants

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NEWS Bulletin from Indian Society For Sustainable Agriculture And Rural Development

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1. Germany offers green cooperation with India

2. Egypt for more strategic partnership with India

3. Africa seeks Indian investment in fertiliser

4. ICRAF : ‘India can achieve 30% forest cover by promoting agro-forestry’

5. New modelling systems help tap the potential of small hydro power

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Germany offers green cooperation with India

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/germany-offers-green-cooperation-with-india/387357/0 ASHOK B SHARMAPosted: 2008-11-18 21:37:02+05:30 ISTUpdated: Nov 18, 2008 at 2137 hrs IST

 

New Delhi, Nov 18 : Germany today offered to open a new chapter of cooperation with India on environment issues. It suggested finding economic solutions to ecological problems and vice versa so that the fundamental right to development is not denied.

 

The visiting German minister for environment, nature conservation and nuclear safety, Sigmar Gabriel underscored the need for solutions packages for green development which combine advice on creating the required legal and institutional framework, concept development, feasibility assessment, financing options, planning, supervision and implementation of projects and operating and management plans.

 

Addressing the India-German Environment Forum in Delhi on Tuesday on the theme - Dialogues: Solutions for Green Growth - Gabriel said: "From the funds available to the German Environment Ministry in 2008 from auctioning of allowances from emission trading, Germany is providing an additional 120 million Euro per year worldwide for climate protection projects in developing and newly industrializing countries. These are new and additional financial resources, on top of the funding for development cooperation provided by taxpayers' money. This enables our environment and energy cooperation with India to be further expanded."

 

He assured that this was a starting point and Germany was willing to expand the level of finance to help developing countries to both mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

 

He noted that India was a very important player in the global CDM regime and Germany's most important CDM partner country. He invited India to be founding member of International Agency for Renewable Energies (IRENA) to be set up in Bonn on January 26, 2009 for supporting member states for adapting political framework, capacity building an improving financing and technology transfer for renewable energies. He suggested accessing information on waste management technology from German RETech Initiative website. He said German Water Partnership has been set up for sustainable and safe management of this natural resource.

 

"Modern day environment policy that will drive innovation, growth and employment should consist of three basic principles. One, prices must reflect the truth – prices are an indicator of scarcity and should not ignore the ecological truth. Two, We must intelligently combine instruments from the supply and the demand side. It is the interplay between a good policy framework on the supply side and an active demand which really helps innovative technologies achieve a breakthrough and three, calculable framework conditions and benchmarks need to be secured. This is an important component of a policy which balances planning certainty and dynamic development," Gabriel said.

 

The two-day Indo-German Environment Forum programme is jointly organised by the industry body, FICCI, German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, India's Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business.

 

Gabriel cautioned against lowering of sights with regard to the environment and climate protection in the wake of the current global financial crisis. Focussing exclusively on overcoming the crisis would not only expose the world to unchecked climate change and the substantial subsequent costs, it would also rib us of the major economic opportunities presented by an ecological industrial policy.

 

Indications of future scarcities, Gabriel said, were already emerging. At current consumption levels, coal will last for about 200 years, conventional oil and gas for another 62 years and petroleum for 43 years. Even nuclear power has no future since the current economically viable use of uranium reserves can only continue for another 40 years.

 

Indian minister of state for environment and forests, Sevugan Regupathy, pointed out that with India witnessing one of the fastest economic growth rates in the world over the last decade, conservation efforts need to be unstinted and constant. Areas such as promotion of energy efficiency, renewable energy, pollution abatement, mass transport and environmental infrastructure need massive R & D efforts which need a comprehensive approach with much larger private participation. The regulatory capacity of environmental agencies needs to be developed in a much greater way in order to meet the upcoming challenges, he said.

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Egypt for more strategic partnership with India

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/egypt-for-more-strategic-partnership-with-india/386845/0 ASHOK B SHARMAPosted: 2008-11-17 21:03:35+05:30 ISTUpdated: Nov 17, 2008 at 2103 hrs IST

 

New Delhi, Nov 17 : Egypt urged India to develop a strategic partnership between the two countries with a view to boost bilateral trade and investments covering important fields like ICT, energy and industry.

 

The visiting Egyptian President, Mohammed Hosny Mubarak while addressing industry conclave organized by three leading apex bodies – FICCI, CII and Assocham – in New Delhi on Monday said: "We have all what it takes to give a renewed momentum to our strategic partnership and all what it takes to bring our trade and investments to new horizons, especially in the important fields of ICT, energy and industry."

 

He said that trade between India and Egypt had tripled in the last 4 years reaching about $3.5 million in 2007. "We have managed to diversify our trade to cover a wide range of goods and I am sure there is room for further expansion", he said adding that Indian direct investments in Egypt stood at around $800 million in more than 200 Egyptian companies.

 

"The potential is for these investments to reach $2 billion in the coming few years. Such Indian investments cover a wide range of areas in industry, services, ICT, construction, financing, agriculture, oil and gas as well as tourism", the Egyptian President said.

 

He emphasized that Egypt had witnessed a remarkable economic transformation process. "The reforms we have pursued have reflected positively in our macro-economic indicators. Egypt has emerged as one of the leading economies in Africa and Middle East and is ranked as the most attractive destination for foreign direct investments in its region", said Mubarak.

 

He allured the Indian investors by saying that Egypt had become a hub in West Asia and the Arab world. Through trade agreements with the European Union and COMESA, Egypt had become an important gateway to the vast European and African markets and an attractive destination for foreign direct investment.

 

Speaking on the occasion, the Indian minister for commerce and industry, Kamal Nath also emphasized the need for closer trade and economic ties between India and Egypt since the two countries equally share the pride of ancient civilizations. India prefers Egypt and gets similar treatment from it not only on trade front but also in areas of business and economic relations. Therefore, the two countries should strive harder to achieve the two-way trade as per their potential.

 

Nath identified possible areas for cooperation like in steel, construction, tractors and agricultural equipment, pumps and diesel engines, pharmaceuticals, tourism, auto components, information technology, phosphatic and nitrogen fertilizers, hotel management, textiles, biotechnology and use of natural gas in cars.. He further added that Egypt had traditionally been one of India's most important trading partners in the African continent and Egypt alone accounted for almost 40% of India's trade with northern Africa.

 

He welcomed the Egyptian proposal for establishing an Indian Industrial Zone in Egypt exclusively for Indian companies. He further added that Egypt's strategic location would be India's gateway to the 20-member Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the 27-nation European Union and the Arab Free Trade Area.

 

"Companies like Ranbaxy, Kiroloskar, Dabur, Ashok Leyland, and Essel already have an investment presence in Egypt. I am sure that with these investments, India could well emerge among the top ten foreign investors in Egypt", Nath said.

 

During 2007-08, India's exports to Egypt have been to the tune of $1396.23 million as compared to $760.41 million during the year 2006-07. Imports (including oil imports) during the same period were $1982.77 million as compared to $1741.65 million during the year 2006-07. The top Indian export items included frozen meat, cotton yarn and synthetic yarn, rice, diesel, tobacco, electrical machinery, soybean, chemicals, automobiles and components, sugar, pharmaceuticals and tea. Nearly 95% of Egypt's exports to India comprised of oil and gas. Coking coal, raw cotton, rock phosphate, and marble made up the balance 5%.

 

Speaking on the occasion, immediate past president of Assocham, Anil K Agarwal hoped that the two-way trade between India and Egypt would gallop and exceed more than the projected $2 billion in next few years. According to him, apart from communication, technology, industry, India and Egypt needs to intensify their trade relations in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

 

In his address, the past president of CII, N Kumar, said that both India and Egypt had highly developed textile and garment industry. Egypt imports a large part of the requirement of man-made fibres for its textile and garment industries from India. Such imports have significant potential to expand, given the rapid growth of the garment industry in Egypt.

 

In his observation, the past president of FICCI, Onkar S Kanwar also hoped that by 2010, India and Egypt should achieve $5 billion trade target which should further go up to $10 billion by 2014.

 

 

Africa seeks Indian investment in fertiliser

 

http://www.financialexpress. com/news/africa-seeks-indian- investment-in-fertiliser/ 385792/0 ASHOK B SHARMAPosted: 2008-11-15 15:31:54+05:30 ISTUpdated: Nov 15, 2008 at 1531 hrs IST

 

New Delhi, Nov 14 : Countries in Africa have invited the Indian fertiliser industry to set up phosphatic fertiliser plants and agro-processing units. They have sought India's cooperation for technology transfer in boosting farm production.

 

"There is a large deposit of phosphate at Tororo in Uganda and we invite Indian companies to set up phosphatic fertiliser units," said the country's minister of state for fisheries, Fred Mukisa. He also sought India's assistance in setting up a dairy plant . The Tanzanian minister for agriculture, food security and cooperatives, Stephen Masatu Wasira, also invited Indian industry to take advantage of the deposits of phosphate and natural gas in the country.

 

Indian fertilizer cooperative, Iffco, has already set up a joint venture with El Naser Mining Company in Egypt to produce 0.465 million tonne phosphoric acid in Egypt. It has signed a MoU with Jordon Phosphates Mines Company for producing 1,500 tonne phosphoric acid. Iffco holds a 19%-equity stake in Industries Chimiques Du Senegal for manufacture of phosphoric acid and phosphatic fertilisers. Iffco has a 25% equity holding in Oman India Fertiliser Co for production of 1.9 million tonne of urea and 1.264 tonne of surplus ammonia. It has signed a long-term offtake agreement with Australia's Legend International Holdings Inc for 5 million tonne of concentrated rock phosphate. All these efforts are aimed at augmenting the availability of phosphatic fertilisers that are in short supply in India.

 

"We have developed seeds of high-yielding crops, but we need India's assistance in seed multiplication. We are also interested in importing tractors and spare parts from India. We need Indian expertise in textiles, in construction of irrigation infrastructure and assistance for preparing technical feasibility reports for the promotion of bio-fuels. We are also interested in inviting Indian investments for processing of cashew nuts, cotton, tea and fruits," said Wasira.

 

Ministers from African nations visited New Delhi for a two-day India-Africa seminar on sustainable food security which concluded on November 12 organized by Iffco and the Union agriculture ministry. Participants included representatives from Angola, Benin, Congo, Cameroon, Kenya, Eritrea, Mozambique, Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Tunisia, Malawi and Tanzania participated.

 

Indian agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar invited African students to pursue their studies in agriculture universities in India. He suggested exchange of germplasm for research and trade between India and African nations. He said his government was working on the work plan for cooperation submitted by Uganda.

 

The vice minister of Angola, Jose Amoro Tati said his country was eager to sign a MoU with India on farm cooperation. Rwanda's agriculture and animal resources minister, Christophe Bazivamo said : "India can gain by selling technology to African countries. This cooperation can be extended to include exchange of germplasm in different crops and strengthening of public-private partnership in agriculture production, processing and marketing."

 

Malawi's deputy minister for agriculture and food security, Frank Tumpale Mwenifumto narrated how his government's new policy of input subsidy could transform the country from food deficit to a net exporter of food. He said that motorized pump sets imported from India could augment the irrigation facilities. --

ICRAF : ‘India can achieve 30% forest cover by promoting agro-forestry’

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/india-can-achieve-30-forest-cover-by-promoting-agroforestry/386921/0 ASHOK B SHARMAPosted: 2008-11-18 21:31:55+05:30 ISTUpdated: Nov 18, 2008 at 2131 hrs IST

 

New Delhi, Nov 17 : The International Centre for Research in Agro-forestry (ICRAF) has suggested that India can achieve its goal of 30% forest cover by promoting agro-forestry in a big way. It has lauded India’s effort in maintaining its natural forests and promotion of watershed programme.

 

Speaking to FE, ICRAF director-general, Dennis P Garrity said : “India has maintained its natural forests, but there is a need to increase its forest cover to 30%. This can be done if agro-forestry is promoted on a largescale.†Agro-forestry includes plantation of cash crop trees like coffee, rubber and also trees for timber and fodder. ICRAF , which is engaged in promotion of agro-forestry, is one of the 15 affiliated institutes of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

 

Garrity said that India had a long history of agro-forestry and maintaining natural. Some of the country’s natural forests were destroyed over the time due to urbanisation and setting up of projects and as a result the forest cover were reduced. He said that 20% of the world’s concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was due to deforestation. With a view to effectively combat climate change afforestation and maintenance of forests was necessary, he said

 

He said that more commercial timber should be grown in India as this would result in expansion of forest area and it would also reduce the country’s import bill for timber. Bamboo, he said should also be grown on a commercial scale as it would meet the needs of poor people for building houses. Canes and bamboos can also be used for making furniture and handicrafts which can boost country’s export earnings. He urged India to help Kenya to utilize its bamboo resources.

 

Garrity said that Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) programme initiated at the 13th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bali last was only a statement of intent.

 

“Much needs to be done to negotiate a proper mechanism for monitoring and implementation and with binding commitments. Hopefully the world leaders would put in place a proper mechanism at the next conference scheduled in Copenhagen," he said. REDD aims to compensate the developing countries in the tropical region to maintain their forests and discourages deforestation. It allows developing countries to sell carbon offsets to rich countries in return for not burning their tropical forests from 2013.

 

He says Adaptation Fund as “inadequate†as it has a corpus of only about $36 million.The world leaders have , however, assured to raise it to $1-$5 billion a year by 2030, if investments in green technology in developing nations surges. The fund distinguished the responsibilities of the Global Environment Facility and the World Bank. The fund would have a 16-member board largely from developing countries and would start operating from 2008. Garrity urged India to reap benefits from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) by encourarging agro-forestry in a big way. ----

 

New modelling systems help tap the potential of small hydro power

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/new-modelling-systems-help-tap-the-potential-of-small-hydro-power/386885/0 ASHOK B SHARMAPosted: 2008-11-18 22:57:22+05:30 ISTUpdated: Nov 18, 2008 at 2257 hrs IST

 

Hydropower generation is one of the few environmentally benign options. It does not involve fuel cost if deploying mature technology, which is characterised by spectacular operational efficiency. This makes hydropower generation cost effective.

 

But the country’s hydropower generation programme has not made much headway. It contributes only a quarter of the total power generation capacity. The 11th Plan envisaged a capacity addition of 78,577 mw from conventional sources, which includes 16,553 mw from large hydro projects and 1,400 mw from small ones. Small hydro projects are those with a capacity of up to 25 mw.

 

One of the main reasons for the slow capacity expansion of large hydro projects is that it leads to human displacement, deforestation and big dams, and if not constructed with due care, can pose a security threat. Keeping in view the problems associated with large hydro projects, the government plans to promote small hydropower projects under the Union ministry for new & renewable energy. Such projects also help decentralise power generation and distribution.

 

Hydropower generation depends on the availability of surface water, which ultimately depends upon rainfall. Climate change has posed a problem of erratic rainfall. It has also become a threat, signalling the gradual drying up of glaciers, which feed perennial rivers. Small hydro projects would also lead to the diversion of water from agriculture, drinking and household uses in rural areas.

 

According to the government, the potential of small hydro projects is estimated at 14,294 mw, but their cumulative power generation up to December 2007 was only 2,045 mw. Across the country, 5,403 potential sites for small hydro projects have been identified, of which 607 have seen installations generating 2,013 mw. Another 216 projects with a capacity of 612 mw are under implementation.

 

The Alternate Hydro Energy Centre (AHEC), in collaboration with the UK’s Centre of Ecology & Hydrology, has developed software to assess the hydrology of potential project sites. A resource assessment for all renewable energy sources, including small hydro projects, and mapping of potential sites on the GIS platform are underway. Models have been developed that take into account regional flow duration curves, geological and seismological data, and vegetation cover for identification of potential sites.

 

The GIS technique is used to extract information on natural drops available in the river system. The water availability at these sites is then determined using a distributed rainfall runoff model called a soil & water assessment tool. The model uses terrain features, land use and soil data along with rainfall and other meteorological parameters to generate the flow time series. This model has been successfully tested on the Beas river basin and is being applied to other basins.

 

AHEC and IIT Roorkee are assessing standards, guidelines and manuals on hydropower developed by international and national bodies. At present, back-ended subsidy for small hydro projects is released on the basis of verification against the standards set by the International Electrotechnical Commission. AHEC and IIT Roorkee test the projects commissioned for their performance.

 

Some 19 states including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have announced policies for setting up commercial small hydro projects through private sector participation. The facilities include wheeling of power generated, banking, and power buyback for third-party sale. India has a strong base for the manufacture of small hydro project equipment. Indian manufacturers have international tie-ups and technical collaborations to produce a range of turbines, generators and control equipment. Water wheels have been traditionally used in the Himalayan region for rice hulling, milling of grain and for other mechanical applications. Improved versions of water wheels have been developed for power generation of

3-5 mw.

 

The equipment used in SHPs is now more efficient, reliable and automatic. Electronic governors have replaced the mechanical systems, and digital controls have replaced analogue ones so that projects are completely azutomated. There is now the need to improve civil design and hydraulic structures. Attention is being paid to the development of efficient desilting structures, self-cleaning water intakes and trash racks. ------

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