DECLARE RAJASTHAN A "MUSTARD STATE"-- Babu Lal Data, President, MOPA & COOIT

Jaipur: The 43rd edition of the two-day All India Rabi Oilseeds seminar began in Jaipur from Saturday to discuss the rules, laws and various taxes applicable on edible oil. The seminar is being organized by the Mustard Oil Producers Association of India (MOPA) under the aegis of the Central Organization for Oil Industry and Trade (COOIT), informed Mr. Babu Lal Data, President, MOPA & COOIT at Hotel Clarks Amer on Saturday. Mr. Babu Lal Data further said that every year this Rabi seminar is being organized at different places. After 5 years we are getting a chance to organize this seminar again in Jaipur. In the Rabi seminar, discussions will be held on making the country self-sufficient in edible oils. Mr Data said, "We have been repeatedly urging the government to declare Rajasthan as mustard state. About 40 to 45 % mustard of the whole of India is produced in Rajasthan, it is such a crop which is produced in the least amount of water. About 50% of the oilseeds that are produced in the country or the oil that is consumed, have to be imported from abroad." On this occasion, COOIT Chairman, Mr. Suresh Nagpal; Mr. Anil Chatar, Chairman Crop Committee and Joint Secretary MOPA and Spokesperson MOPA, Mr. Deepak Data were also present. COOIT Chairman, Mr. Suresh Nagpal said that every year businessmen, industrialists, brokers, manufacturers of machinery of oil industry and jars, pouches and their printing materials used in packing of edible oil, participate in this seminar from different parts of the country. He said that there is always a great enthusiasm among the participants for the seminar and it is organised to improve the production quality of Rabi crop and its future. Mr. Anil Chatar, Chairman Crop Committee and Joint Secretary MOPA, said that overall the seminar is the 'Mahakumbh' of oilseeds. The seminar is organized every year and has been organised in New Delhi, Agra, Bharatpur and Jaipur. Last year, this seminar was organised in Bharatpur. MOPA Spokesperson, Mr. Deepak Data said that it is our priority to make high quality edible oil easily available to the consumers. He said that discussions will be held in the seminar about this year's crop production, oil production from the crop, oil demand and supply issues. The seminar will be attended by Secretary MOPA, Mr. KK Aggarwal; Vice President, MOPA; Mr. Suresh Chand Jain and Mr. Vivek Jagwayan; Organizing Secretary, MOPA, Mr. Sanjay Goyenka and Treasurer, MOPA, Mr. Paras Jain. Detailed information about the seminar: Following the discussion and deliberations in the seminar, suggestions will be sent to the Government of India and the concerned State Governments to make them self-sufficient in the field of oilseeds, to make the National Oil Mission a success and to reduce dependence on imports. The seminar is also a platform through which stakeholders will share their views about the rules, laws and taxes that are not in the interest of farmers, producers, traders and workers. Technology is present and future: Information about new technology will be shared during seminars. About 44 stalls will be set up in the seminar. The stalls will facilitate in sharing useful information about advanced technology to the traders and machinery manufacturers. The organising committee said that this is the reason because of which popularity of seminar is rising day by day and increasing number of people look for participating in the seminar. The apex organization “The Central Organization for Oil Industry and Trade (COOIT), under whose aegis this seminar is being organized, has a great contribution in taking this seminar to greater heights. Top officials of COOIT are also participating in the seminar. The seminar will start with a networking dinner organized at Hotel Clark Amer on March 11. There will be interaction among the delegates and businesses and traders which will be helpful in the development of the oilseeds industry. The next day of the seminar, on March 12, the important program of the seminar will start at Birla Auditorium from 8 am. Honorable guests like Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Government of India, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and Industry & Commerce Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Smt. Shakuntla Rawat will also participate in this programme. The formal start of the program will be at 10.15 am in which government officials, oilseed experts, scientists, technocrats, heads of oil industry and trade and farmers will share their views. At around 4 pm, the Crop Estimate Committee will inform the representatives present in the seminar about the estimation of this year's rabi crop. The Seminar will conclude with the vote of thanks by the Secretary, Shri K.K. Aggarwal.