Niger exports up 62% in April-July '05

Niger seed exports have posted 62 per cent growth in April-July 2005 to 9,053 metric tonne (MT) compared with 5,556 MT in the same period last year, and the exports have been surging in the subsequent months as well.

In the four-month period, India raked revenue worth Rs 20.10 crore through the exports, Rs 6 crore more than the revenue earned in the corresponding period of the earlier year.

According to niger seed exporters, the tax reduction helped the exports reach double the expected growth in the period, which made the Indian seed internationally competent.

Earlier niger seed exports were routed through Tribal Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Trifed), but the government changed the policy later. Further, the tax was reduced from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent of the invoice value of export consignment. Free trade was allowed, as well.

In 2004-05, India had exported 24,431 MT of niger seed worth Rs 60.53 crore. Growth trend is showing that the Rs 100-crore mark is achievable in this year, and this is good news to farmers.

Post-tax relaxation and on being allowed to do free trade, the farmers are earning more money, which has, in turn, increased production too, said Sanjiv Sawla, chairman, Indian Oilseeds and Produce Exporters' Association.

India is the major source of niger seed, followed by Ethiopia, Burma and Nepal. It predominantly rural tribal population which is involved in the production of niger seed in India. Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the major states producing the seed.

On a global scale, US companies are the major importers of niger seed, with imports from India contributing around 30-40 per cent. In 2004-05, the US imported 18,886 MT seed, of India's share was 24,431 MT.

Besides the US, Singapore, Mexico, Belgium and Canada are the other markets for the Indian niger seed. Niger is an oilseed having high oil and protein content. Seed fat is edible, but is widely used in industrial processes like making soaps and paints, and preparation of different types of emulsions.