“MPEDA, constituted by an Act of Parliament, has the authority to do everything to protect exports/augment raw materials of exports and surveillance/protection to ensure healthy crop. MPEDA is part of the surveillance mechanism of the Government of India,” she told The Hindu.
The action plan is an outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting with interested parties concerned, the MPEDA chief said.
Asked about the outbreak of EMS in the country, Leena Nair said it could not be confirmed or denied.
“It is for the Department of Animal Husbandry to take a call. But, the action plan is a vital part of the monitoring.”
Clarifying the misconceptions over crop holiday, she said that the holiday was to prevent farmers from squeezing in an intermittent third crop during the dry-out period.
“Let us make a good, healthy crop. It is a best management practice,” the MPEDA Chairperson said.
