Contents:

1. India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI 2024
2. Export of Organic Products

 India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI 2024

Event:

• 4th edition of Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI.

• Venue: Bentong Camp, Pahang district, Malaysia.

• Duration: 2nd to 15th December 2024.

Participants:

• India: 78 personnel from a Battalion of MAHAR Regiment.

• Malaysia: 123 personnel from the Royal Malaysian Regiment.

Frequency:

• Annual exercise conducted alternately in India and Malaysia.

• Previous Edition: Nov 2023, Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya, India.

Objective:

• Enhance joint military capability for counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain.

• Conduct operations under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.

Phases of Exercise:

• Phase 1:Cross-training with lectures, demonstrations, and jungle terrain drills.

• Phase 2:Simulated exercise focusing on:

• Anti-MT Ambush

• Harbour Occupation

• Reconnaissance Patrols

• Ambush tactics

• Attacks on terrorist-occupied areas.

Key Benefits:

• Sharing of best practices in tactics and procedures for joint operations.

• Development of interoperability, camaraderie, and bonhomie between armies.

• Enhanced defence cooperation and strengthened bilateral relations.

• Strategic Importance:Reinforces ties between India and Malaysia, showcasing strong defence collaboration.

Export of Organic Products

Export Data (Last 5 Years and Current Year):

• 2019-20: 638,998.42 MT; USD 689.10 million.

• 2020-21: 888,179.68 MT; USD 1,040.95 million.

• 2021-22: 460,320.40 MT; USD 771.96 million.

• 2022-23: 312,800.51 MT; USD 708.33 million.

• 2023-24: 261,029.00 MT; USD 494.80 million.

• 2024-25 (till 25th Nov 2024): 263,050.11 MT; USD 447.73 million.

Support for Organic Product Exporters:

• No specific funds allocated by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries for organic product production.

• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority):

• Provides financial assistance to member exporters for:

• 1. Export infrastructure development.
  • 2. Quality development.
  • 3. Market development.

National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):

• Implemented by APEDA.

• Covers accreditation of certification bodies, organic production standards, promotion of organic farming, and marketing.

• Certified entities: Producers, processors, and traders.

Organic Certified Processing Units (State-wise):

• Total Units: 1016.

• Top States: Karnataka: 127 units ,Gujarat: 122 units and Maharashtra: 113 units.

• Lowest States:
  • Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Daman & Diu, Ladakh: 2 units each.

• Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Pondicherry, Tripura: 1 unit each.

Key Highlights:

• Decline in organic exports in recent years, both in quantity and value.

• NPOP facilitates certification, ensuring adherence to organic standards and global competitiveness.

• Strategic Importance: Promotes sustainable agriculture and enhances India’s reputation as an exporter of quality organic products.