This is in continuance of our series on consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP. The previous articles in this regard are(1) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: objectives,
(2) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: definitions,
(3) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: general provisions,
(4) FDI in limited liability partnerships (LLPs) in India 2012,
(5) Permissible direct and indirect foreign investment in an Indian company,
(6) Foreign investment promotion board (FIPB) and FDI policy of India 2012,
(7) Prohibited sectors under the consolidated FDI policy of India 2012.
In this article Perry4Law and Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) would discuss the provisions pertaining to FDI in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012.
A 100% FDI through automatic route is available regarding the following:
(a) Floriculture, Horticulture, Apiculture and Cultivation of Vegetables & Mushrooms under controlled conditions;
(b) Development and production of Seeds and planting material;
(c) Animal Husbandry (including breeding of dogs), Pisciculture, Aquaculture, under controlled conditions; and
(d) Services related to agro and allied sectors
Besides the above, FDI is not allowed in any other agricultural sector/activity. Further, other conditions are also required to be complied with in this regard. These include:
(a) For companies dealing with development of transgenic seeds/vegetables, the following conditions apply:
(i) When dealing with genetically modified seeds or planting material the company shall comply with safety requirements in accordance with laws enacted under the Environment (Protection) Act on the genetically modified organisms.
(ii) Any import of genetically modified materials if required shall be subject to the conditions laid down vide Notifications issued under Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
(iii) The company shall comply with any other Law, Regulation or Policy governing genetically modified material in force from time to time.
(iv) Undertaking of business activities involving the use of genetically engineered cells and material shall be subject to the receipt of approvals fromGenetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) and Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM).
(v) Import of materials shall be in accordance with National Seeds Policy.
(b) The term “under controlled conditions” covers the following:
(i) Cultivation under controlled conditions for the categories of Floriculture, Horticulture, Cultivation of vegetables and Mushrooms is the practice of cultivation wherein rainfall, temperature, solar radiation, air humidity and culture medium are controlled artificially. Control in these parameters may be effected through protected cultivation under green houses, net houses, poly houses or any other improved infrastructure facilities where micro-climatic conditions are regulated anthropogenically.
(ii) In case of Animal Husbandry, scope of the term under controlled conditions covers –
(a) Rearing of animals under intensive farming systems with stall-feeding. Intensive farming system will require climate systems (ventilation, temperature/humidity management), health care and nutrition, herd registering/pedigree recording, use of machinery, waste management systems.
(b) Poultry breeding farms and hatcheries where micro-climate is controlled through advanced technologies like incubators, ventilation systems etc.
(iii) In the case of pisciculture and aquaculture, scope of the term under controlled conditions covers –
(a) Aquariums
(b) Hatcheries where eggs are artificially fertilized and fry are hatched and incubated in an enclosed environment with artificial climate control.
(iv) In the case of apiculture, scope of the term under controlled conditions covers –
(a) Production of honey by bee-keeping, except in forest/wild, in designated spaces with control of temperatures and climatic factors like humidity and artificial feeding during lean seasons.
For tea sector including tea plantations, a FDI of 100% through Government route is permissible. Besides this, FDI is not allowed in any other plantation sector/activity. Further, the following conditions also apply in this case:
(i) Compulsory divestment of 26% equity of the company in favour of an Indian partner/Indian public within a period of 5 years
(ii) Prior approval of the State Government concerned in case of any future land use change.
