Human Genetic Diversity+Indian & Brazilian Farmers+India-Italy+India-Africa for Energy Security

[Guest guest]

NEWS Bulletin from Indian Society For Sustainable Agriculture And Rural Development

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1. HUGO Pan-Asian SNP Consortium - India is the source of genetic diversity in Asia - Time to retink about the concept of Aryan migration from Central Asia 2. India-Latin America - Can India learn from Brazil's experiment on food security and raising farmers' income - Some of Brazil's schemes are similar to those in India

 

3. Italy-India Business Mission-2009 - Italy, India agree to boost bilateral trade to $ 10 bn - Four MoUs signed to boost trade and investment

 

4. Tackling Energy Deficit - India can gain much from cooperation with Africa on basis of mutual benefit - Africa's development, use of energy-mix with renewables hold the key ---------------

HUGO Pan-Asian SNP Consortium

India is the source of genetic diversity in Asia

Time to retink about the concept of Aryan migration from Central Asia

By: ASHOK B SHARMA on: Fri 11 of Dec, 2009 13:20 UTC

http://news.anypursuit.com/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=1189

 

http://www.mynews.in/News/HUGO_study_reveals_India_as_the_source_of_Asian_genetic_diversity,_Aryan_invasion_theory_falls_flat_N32506.html

New Delhi, Dec 11 : A study done by a consortium of geneticists from 10 Asian countries shows that Indian genetic diversity is the basis of other population in Asia. It says that over 50,000 years ago there was a first single stream entry of humans into India from Africa. From India the human population settled in South-East Asia and from there some of then moved to east and central Asia.

The study tends to refute the age old belief that Aryans as a distinct race who migrated from Central Asia and settled in the plains of north India. If we are believe the origin of humankind in Africa and the first outward stream of humans settling in India and thereafter spreading to other parts of Asia, including Central Asia, then they are same people who might have probably come back and resettled in India from Central Asia However, HUGO has planned to undertake further studies including Central Asia and the Polynesian Islands. The first ever study of human genomes of Asia conducted by Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) Pan-Asian SNP Consortium also says that some of the Indian population showed evidence of shared ancestry with European population and this is consistent with the expansion of Indo-European speaking population.

This HUGO’s Pan-Asian initiative is a consortium of 90 geneticists and 40 institutions from 10 Asian nations, namely China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. It collected samples from 1,928 unrelated individuals representing 73 groups of people from 10 countries and 10 linguistic lineages from member countries as well as from two non-Asian population groups of Africo-American and Caucasian ancestry.

HUGO Pan-Asia SNP Consortium study has been recently published the reputed Science magazine (vol 326) in December 11, 2009

According to the study modern humans evolved in Africa and spread across the world, adapting locally to the selective pressures of climate, food sources and pahogens. “Tracking genetic variations through human migrations provides clues to evolution of diseases and phenotypes. India can be a crucible for clinical trials of medicines suitable for Asian population,†said Prof Samir Brahmachari, director-general of the apex Indian scientific body, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Alongwith Prof Brahmachari, Dr Mitali Mukherjee of Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology and Dr Partha P Majumdar, head of the human genetics unit of Indian Statistical Institute were represented in the consortium from India.

According to the study the most recent common ancestors of Asians arrived first in India. Later some of them migrated to Thailand and southwards to the land known today as Malaysia, Indonesia and also eastwards to the Philippines. The first group of settlers must have gone very far south before they settled successfully. These includes the Malay Negritos, Philippine Negritos, the East Indonesians and early settlers of the Pacific Islands. Thereafter one or several groups of people migrated North, mixed with previous settlers there and finally formed various population groups we now refer to as Austronesian, Austro-Astiatic, Tai-Kadal, Hmong-Mien and Altaic.

“This study is a milestone not only in the science that emerged, but the consortium that was formed. Ten Asian countries came together in the spirit of solidarity to understand how we related as a people and we finished with a truly Asian scientific community. We overcame shortage of funds and diverse operational constraints through partnerships, good will and cultural sensitivity,†said Prof Edison Liu, executive director Genome Institute of Singapore and President of the HUGO.

The study also reveals that more than 90% of East Asian haplotypes are found in either South-East Asian or Central-South Asian population and shows clinical structure with haplotype diversity decreasing from south to north. Furthermore, 50% of East Asian haplotypes were found in South-East? Asia only and 5% were found in Centra-South? Asia only, indicating that South-East? Asia was a major geographic source of East Asia population.

India has recently achieved a major breakthrough in human genome sequencing. Scientists at CSIR’s affiliate organization, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) sequenced the human genome of an anonymous Indian citizen. The human genome has 3.1 billion basepairs The team at IGIB generated over 51 gigabases of data using next generation sequencing technology, resulting in over 13x coverage of the human genome. This next generation sequencing technology used in this case enables massively parallel sequencing of millions of genomic fragments of 76 base pairs which are then mapped back to the reference genome. This humongous exercise was made possible with the CSIR supercomputing facility at IGIB.

Sequencing of a human genome requires high computational capability and technological knowhow in handling sophisticated machines and analyzing huge volume of data. The first human genome sequencing initiative was conceived as early as 1984. In addition to the US, the international human genome project consortium comprised geneticists from UK, France, Germany, Japan and China. This project formally started in 1980 and sequencing was completed in 2003. India then could not be a part of the process due to lack of resources. Currently more than 14 human genomes sequences from different countries have been announced globally. With the completion of its first first human genome sequence, India is now in the league with few select countries like the US, UK, China, Canada and South Korea.

 

COMMENTS

 

Concocted Aryan Invasion Theory

on Sun 13 of Dec, 2009 12:58 UTC, by Y,K. Wadhwa, ykwadhwa01, Ph no 09891500712, on www.news.anypursiut.com

Swami Dayananda Saraswati founder of Arya Samaj challenged the 19th century western scholars for the first time regarding the myth of Aryan Invasion Theory and Clarified that the word Arya is a qualitative term and not a racial term. The word means a 'noble person'(shrestha). Sri Aurobindo who has questioned the three disinformations, i.e., Aryan vs.Dravidians, The Vedas and the Caste system, says"How is it possible that a handful of barbarians, entering a vast peninsula occupied by a civilised people, builders of great cities, extensive traders not without mental and spiritual culture, could impose on them their language, religion, ideas and manners."Sri Aurobindo remarks: "The word Arya expresses a particular ethical and social order of well governed life, courage, gentleness, purity, humanity, compassion, protection of the weak, liberty, observance of social duties, eagerness for knowledge, respect for the wise and the learned and the social

accomplishment. There is no word in human speech that has a nobler history"(Arya, Vol.I). Mahabharta 8.82,83 also describes the distinctive features of an Arya as"One who is neither snobbish nor exploits others". The word Arya was a favourite term with Lord Buddha who called he 'Four Noble Truths" as "Four Arya Saach". It is by conduct and behaviour that one becomes Arya and not by birth or wealth. This is the consistent view of the Indian tradition, right from the Vedas down the Smritis, Puranas and the great epics.

 

Posted by arjen on 2009-12-14 08:34:47.253986+05:30 on www.financialexpress.com

how much evidence must be proved to put death to the racist European Aryan theory...we as indians must refuse the british view of india as being seperate INSTEAD UNITE in the new evidence that we all believed that indians ARE THE ARYANS NORTH AND SOUTH AND INDIANS WENT OUT TO EUROPE NOT THE OTHER WAY ROUND..............finally i see a glorious new century for indians and india. The recognition of their OWN GLORIOUS PAST FREE FROM ANY INVASIONS THEORY..

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India-Latin America

 

Can India learn from Brazil's experiment on food security and raising farmers' income

 

Some of Brazil's schemes are similar to those in India

By: ASHOK B SHARMA on: Wed 16 of Dec, 2009 13:05 UTC

http://anypursuit.com/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=58

http://www.mynews.in/News/India_needs_to_learn_from_Brazil's_experiment_on_food_security_N32962.html

http://www.businessbhaskar.com/article.php?id=25822 (in HINDI)

http://hindi.anypursuit.com/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=128 (in HINDI)

The increasing spate of farmers’ suicide and declining farm productivity in India compels us to look for alternative solutions that may be existing in other parts of the globe. Many compare India with other emerging economies of the world like Brazil, China and South Africa. Brazil, in this context, stands closer in comparison with India. Unlike China, Brazil and India are multi-party democracies. The main difference is that India has a population pressure more than Brazil. India is characterized by a number of small and marginal farmers. Brazil has large farmers and also small farms. It has tried to manage its dual system of agriculture through two separate ministries – Ministry for Commercial Agriculture and Ministry for Family Farms. These two ministries have well defined policies.

Some argue that small holdings are not productive and hence this is primarily the reason for farmers’ suicides in India. But this is not true. The needs of food security and exports are met by small and marginal farmers. Small farms in China and Japan are also productive. The cause for suicides is the mismatch between the expenditure and income of Indian farmers. The government needs to take proactive measures to increase the income of farmers.

In Brazil small family farms largely cater to the needs of domestic food security, while the commercial farms produces mostly for exports. According to the special advisor to the Brazilian President, Maya Takagi, the productivity of small family farms is increased through government support. Despite occupying 24% of the area, family farming is responsible for 38% of production and generate 74% employment.

Since 2003, Brazil has launched its food security programme called ‘Zero Hunger Programmeâ€. The budget for this programme in 2009 is $ 10.8 billion. The Brazilian government purchases food from small farmers and cooperatives against remunerative prices for meeting the needs of the Zero Hunger Programme. The Zero Hunger Programme is similar to the recently launched Food Security Mission in India. Like in India, the food purchased from farmers in Brazil are stocked and distributed to the poor under token system. Food is also served to children within the age group 0-14 years in government’s elementary schools – a case comparable with the mid-day meal scheme in India. Brazil also has programmes for addressing private nutrition, including special programme for mother and children.

To meet the needs of food security, Brazil has a programme to supply foodgrains to cheap restaurants, community kitchens and food banks. In 2008 147,000 small family farms in Brazil benefitted by an investment of $ 284 million and in 2009 the funding has increased to $ 326 million. The incentives for small family farms in 2009-10 is slated to increase to $ 8 billion, which also includes technical assistance. For fishermen the incentive is slated to be $ 266 million.

In India the government hesitate to increase the issue prices of foodgrains distributed through public distribution system (PDS) as this may cause hardship to the poor. But Brazil has sought to resolve this issue by increasing the income of the poor through what is called the Cash Transfer Programme. This scheme is similar to the newly launched National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in India. Brazil also provides scholarships to poor students.

Brazil has a scheme for brining in land under agriculture. India needs to have a similar scheme. India has to learn from the Brazilian experience for increasing the livelihood of its small and marginal farmers and ensuring food security.Brazil has also launched a programme for land reforms.

According to Takagi, Brazil does not have the problem of food production. It has the problem food distribution and increasing the poor people’s access to food. In 2001 about 21% of the households amounting to 10 million or 27% of the population amounting to 46 million people were poor earning less than $ 1 per day. About 47% of the Brazil’s poor live in the north-east region, 30% of them live in the south-eastern region, 10% of them live in the southern region , 7% of them live in the northern region and 6% of them live in the central-western region. Hunger was increasing in metropolitan areas. The situation has improved with the launch of Zero Hunger Programme and Cash Transfer Programme.

The Zero Hunger Programme is administered by a specific ministry in Brazil, like the functions of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Ministry in India. The Zero Hunger Programme has the involvement of three levels of government, NGOs and civil society in the debate. About 25 policies and 40 programmes of different ministries are dovetailed to make the Zero Hunger Programme a success. Special incentives are given for milk production.

Brazil’s bio-diesel programme has a social angle. About 80% of the raw material needed for bio-diesel production are sourced from small farms. In September 2009, Brazil has launched agro-ecological zoning of sugarcane areas to protect the Amazon, Pantanal, indigenous vegetation and areas earmarked for food production. Sugarcane occupies 0.9% of the country’s area. In 2004 Brazil has launched a programme for rural electrification. Water cisterns are built in semi-arid zones with the support of the government. Under More Food Programme, special lines of credit are extended to modernise infrastructure of small family units and to increase food production. Micro-credit institutions are also encouraged.

Some situations in Latin American countries are common to that in India. These countries have the problem of ensuring food security and protecting their indigenous people. Venezuela subsidises its food for the poor programme by its income from petroleum. Peru wants growers of illicit crops to go for bio-fuel crops. Surinam has sought India’s expertise crop biotechnology and bio-fuel with a view to rehabilitate its agriculture devastated by civil strife. Paraguay has launched a programme for ensuring sustainable development and identity of sovereignty by 2025. Uruguay and some other Latin American countries have invited Indian investment in agriculture.# ---------

 

Italy-India Business Mission-2009

Italy, India agree to boost bilateral trade to $ 10 bn

Four MoUs signed to boost trade and investment

By: ASHOK B SHARMA on: Mon 14 of Dec, 2009 13:10 UTC

http://www.news.anypursuit.com/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=1210

http://www.mynews.in/News/Italy,_India_agree_to_boost_bilateral_trade_to_$_10_bn,_four_MoUs_signed_N32782.html

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/italy-india-agree-to-boost-bilateral-trade/554013/0

New Delhi, Dec 14 : Italy and India are eager to boost their bilateral trade from the current level of $ 8 billion to at least $ 10 billion by 2010.

The visiting Italian minister of economic development, Claudio Scajola described India as “the fastest growing market fuelled by the increasing population of middle class with rising income levels.â€

Addressing the Italy-India? Business Mission-2009 jointly organized by the Italian Institute of Foreign Trade – ITALIA – and the apex Indian industry body, FICCI in Delhi on Monday, Scajola said :â€the bilateral trade between the two countries is only $ 8 billion. We need to boost it to at least $ 10 billion. We are interested in transferring technology and innovations to India. Italy would be interested in investing in infrastructure, transport, communication, banking, energy sectors. We are also interested in the renewable energy sector also.â€

He described India as an important market for Italian products, especially for food processing, machine tools, infrastructure, transport, telecom, and energy, particularly renewable energy.

He urged Indian companies to take advantage of the opportunities for collaboration with their Italian counterparts as Italian companies would be willing to transfer knowledge and innovation in their respective domains to their Indian partners.

Scajola is leading a 210-member large official-cum-business delegation to India. A similar India-Italian? business conclave is scheduled in Mumbai from December 16.

The Italian business delegation represents agrofood, agroindustry, apparel textiles and leather, biotechnology, chemical, construction, cosmetics, electronics, environment and energy, furniture and home furnishing, high technology, ICT, jewellery, machinery, material and supplies, meccatronics and services sectors.

Italy is one of the largest economies in the 27-nation Euro-zone and is characterized by the predominant presence of small and medium sized industries. Italy is India’s fourth largest trading partner in the European Union. In terms of exports from India, Italy stands in the 11th position, while it stands 23rd in imports to India.

Major items of India’s exports to Italy are textile yarn and fabrics, apparel and clothing accessories, automobiles and components, chemical products, refined petroleum products, footwear, iron and steel, leather and leather products. Major items of India’s imports from Italy are machinery and mechanical appliances, basic chemical products, automotive components, engines, power generators, audiovisual devices, machine tools, precision equipment.

Though the bilateral trade is still at modest levels, it has been growing at a steady rate with a yearly average of 30% and the maximum growth of 43% was witnessed in 2006-07.

At the signing of the Memorandum of Intent (MoI) between ‘Invest India’ and ‘Invitalia’, Indian minister for commerce and industry, Anand Sharma expressed the hope that bilateral FDI flows would gather momentum as the agreement provides a single point of contact for existing and potential foreign investors seeking opportunities for investment or those who face impediments to their investments, or seek more information on applicable legislation and regulations.

‘Invest India’, is a joint venture between the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Government of India and FICCI and ‘Invitalia’ is the Italian National Agency for Inward Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development.

Sharma said, “This is the time for India and Italy to engage more than ever before. Prior to the recession that gripped the world, India grew annually at 9% consecutively for the past five years. Last year the Indian economy clocked a growth rate of 6.2% and next year hopefully we will do 7% and by 2011, we will return to the 9% growth trajectory.â€

He said, India was today one of the fastest growing economies. This was possible to achieve “because of the dynamism of its people, the strength of its industry, the availability of skilled youth, strong economic fundamentals, a huge domestic market and a society which was governed by the rule of law.â€

FICCI and Italian business organisations signed three other cooperation agreements at the ‘Forum Italy-India’?. These include: MoU between FICCI and Italian Institute of Foreign Trade, FICCI Arbitration and Conciliation Tribunal (FACT) and the Chamber of Arbitration of Milan; and Invest India & SIMEST.

Sharma said Indian industry had seen exponential growth across sectors, especially in manufacturing, automobiles, engineering, pharmaceuticals, design, apparels, gems and jewellery. Italy, which was known the world over for its SME success story was a global leader in fashion, design and there was great scope for the SMEs of the countries to collaborate and cooperate by way of joint venture and technology transfer.

The Minister said, in the next 10 years, India’s infrastructure sector would absorb $ 1.5 billion. This provided a good opportunity for Italian expertise to cash in on the huge Indian market.

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Tackling Energy Deficit

India can gain much from cooperation with Africa on basis of mutual benefit

Africa's development, use of energy-mix with renewables hold the key

By: ASHOK B SHARMA on: Sat 12 of Dec, 2009 11:53 UTC

http://www.news.anypursuit.com/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=1202

http://www.mynews.in/News/Tackling_Energy_Deficit__India_can_gain_from_cooperation_with_Africa_on_basis_of_mutual_benefit_N32594.html

India is ambitious to counter the impact of global financial crisis and maintain a high GDP growth rate in the range of 7% to 9% before entering into the double digit percentage level. With the demand for energy slated to double by 2020 to cater to the development programmes, India now looks at resource-rich Africa to meet its energy needs.

Fossil oil and natural gas meet 40% of India’s energy needs and about 80% of petroleum products are imported annually to meet the growing demand. With one-sixth of the world’s population, India’s per capita energy consumption is estimated at 530 kg of oil equivalent (kgoe) which is significantly lower than the global average of 1800 kgoe. Per capita energy consumption in the world’s most populous country and an emerging economy like China was 1430 kgoe in 2006, while that in another emerging economy, Brazil it was 1180 kgoe. In developed countries like US the per capita energy consumption was 7740 kgoe in 2006, while that in UK it was 3820 kgoe and in Japan it was 4130 kgoe.

To meet its development needs, India may have to depend upon 90% oil and 60% gas imports by 2030-31. Global prices of crude oil are volatile. In July 2008 it peaked to $ 147 a barrel and today it is hovering around $ 75 to $ 80 a barrel. The unpredictability of global crude oil market prompted the Indian external affairs minister, SM Krishna at the inauguration of the two-day 2nd India-Africa? Hydrocarbons Conference (Dec 7, 2009) in Delhi to say: “Do we continue to treat hydrocarbon assets as a zero-sum game or in the true spirit of globalization ensure that they become part of a truly global, integrated, open and competitive energy market for the mutual and long-term benefit of producers and consumers?â€

At present about 15% of India’s crude oil imports come from Africa. Efforts can be made to increase crude oil imports from Africa at affordable prices and mutually beneficial terms. Africa, though lagging behind in the use of energy it produces would need to increase its energy consumption as its development programmes gather momentum. Hence though Africa rich in natural resources cannot be viewed as an energy surplus continent. India also needs more energy consumption. World’s petroleum resources are on a decline and many not last for long. Burning of fossil fuels are contributing to global warming and climate change. Efforts should be made both in Africa and in India to go for an energy-mix policy including use of renewable sources like solar, wind and tidal energy, geothermal energy, hydrogen energy, ocean thermal energy conversion, nuclear energy and also eco-friendly hydro-power

generation.

At 5.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe), India’s proven oil reserves are a meager 0.5% of the world’s total placing it at 22nd position in the global oil map. India’s existing domestic production of about 766,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) is much less than its current consumption of 2,882,000 bopd, creating a wide gap to be met through imports.

Natural gas is about 8.6% of India’s total energy basket, which is much below the world average of 24%. India’s proven gas reserves currently stand at 1.09 trillion cubic metres, which are 0.6% of the world’s total proven gas reserves and ranking the country at 25th in the global gas reserve map. At present gas production in the country is about 87 million standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd). Gas supply is currently constrained at about 107 mmscmd against an estimated demand of about 150 mmscmd. India meets three-fourth of its current demand from its own production and the balance is being met by liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports.

In 2008-09 there were 15 new discoveries of oil fields by public sector companies like ONGC, OIL and private and joint sector companies which would increase India’s crude oil production by 11% to reach 36.708 MMT. The production of natural gas is likely to increase by 52.8% and touch 50.211 BCM. But the country would still have to depend upon imports to meet its energy needs.

Africa has recently got prominence due to numerous hydrocarbon discoveries, especially in the Gulf of Guinea. Combined with this is the low energy consumption in the continent (453 million tonne of oil equivalent in 2006) which makes it an attractive destination for sourcing energy products.

According to January 2008 data, Africa held proven oil reserves of about 125.6 billion barrels, representing about 10% of the total world oil reserves, fuelled primarily by the growing reserves in Libya and Nigeria. This trend is likely to continue due to new discoveries in Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe and Uganda. At present six African countries, Libya (OPEC member), Nigeria (OPEC member), Algeria (OPEC member), Angola (OPEC member), Sudan and Egypt together hold about 93% of the continent’s total oil reserves. Other oil producing countries are Eq Guinea, Congo, Gabon, Chad, Tunisia, Cameroon, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Ghana, Morocco.

In terms of net oil exports in barrels per day in 2006, major exports in order were Nigeria, Algeria, Libya, Angola, Eq Guinea, Sudan Congo, Gabon, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Egypt, Mauritania and DR Congo.

According to January 2009 data, Africa has about 14,654 bcm gas reserves, representing 7.9% of the world’s total proven gas reserves. Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt and Libya together hold 91% of Africa’s gas reserves. Africa’s gas production has more than doubled over the last 10 years from 107.2 bcm to 214.4 bcm in 2008, contributing 7% to the world’s gas production. Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria and Libya are major producers of natural gas. The African continent has rich deposits of mining resources including coal.

Can India be able to compete with other economies of the world including China to have access to these natural resources in Africa? Among the emerging economies, China has taken the lead by making its presence adequately felt in Africa. Nevertheless India has made a humble presence in the African hydrocarbon sector. Indian upstream companies have invested in exploration and production of oil and gas in Sudan, Nigeria, Libya, Egypt, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Nigeria-Sao Tome Joint Development Zone and Equitorial Guinea.

The public sector companies like ONGC Videsh Ltd has invested $ 2.5 billion in Sudan for oil exploration and production while Oil India Ltd has found upstream opportunities in Libya and Gabon. Another public sector, GAIL India Ltd has invested $22 million in three Egyptian companies for distribution of LPG and CNG. ONGC Videsh Ltd is planning to set up a Greenfield refinery in Nigeria. An Indian company has invested in a major refining hub in South Africa. Some Indian companies are engaged in retailing of petroleum products, building of storage terminals, upgradation of refineries, training and consultancy services in Africa. ONGC Videsh Ltd has formed a number of joint ventures with foreign companies and currently holds interests in 25 oil and natural gas projects in 15 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America.

India’s attempt to source gas through international pipelines like Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline, Myanmar-India? pipeline and Bangladesh-India pipeline is yet to materialize.

India needs to carefully play its cards in the global oil politics, more so it needs to be extra careful in dealing with African nations. Africa has sounded its top priority is sustainable development remaining mindful of resource constraints, environmental concerns and imperatives of economic development.

India should act as a partner in development of Africa on basis of mutual benefit. The Indian minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, Jitin Prasada rightly summed up in his valedictory address at the 2nd India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference on December 8, 2009 by saying : “while pursuing mutually beneficial projects in Africa, we should also take up community development programmes there for inclusive growth.â€

India and Sudan inked a MoU for cooperation in oil and gas sector on the occasion. The Sudanese minister of state for energy and mining, Angelina Jany Teny said that she preferred Indian investments with the hope that it would be based on mutual benefit unlike the experiences of traditional structure of global investment in oil sector. Indian company ONGC Videsh Ltd is a leading player in many oil consortium in Sudan but a Chinese company bagged the order for upgradation of the Khatron refinery.

Sudan has rift basins like Malgad, Melut, Blue Nile, Mardi and Red Sea basins. It is divided into 22 exploration blocks. Exploration and production sharing agreements have been signed for 17 blocks. Teny invited India companies to participate in bids for three remaining blocks. Gas reserves are also being discovered in central Sudan and Red Sea. The Sudanese minister reflected upon the opportunities for cooperation for HSE functions of the hydrocarbon sector.

“We are in the process of reviewing oil contracts in terms of environment protection and production,†she said.

One of the main reason why the underexplored country like Sudan is seeking bilateral cooperation is due to the US embargo, particularly in oil exploration and production. “We are trying to resolve this political issue that led to the embargo. We are engaged in a dialogue with the US,†she said.

This a good opportunity for India to step up bilateral cooperation with Sudan. But the existence of Sudan is at stake. A referendum in Southern Sudan is due in 2011 and hence this referendum would decide whether this region would remain with Sudan. Southern Sudan has rich deposits of oil while facilities are located in Northern Sudan. However, Teny assured that under any circumstances the signed agreements would be honoured.

Regarding bids for exploration and production, many African countries have begun reforming their petroleum sector. Indian companies need to carefully understand the African process, procedures and the regulations in each of the African nations. The best option would be for seeking joint ventures between public sector oil companies of India and African countries so that buy back arrangements for crude oil and LNG came be made on mutually beneficial terms.

Many African countries are welcoming investments in upstream, middle stream, down stream, setting up of or upgradation of refineries, setting up of cross-country pipelines, terminals and depots and consultancy services. Indian companies are capable of availing these opportunities. India has developed expertise in oil refining and today the world’s single largest refining complex is not in the US or in West Asia, but is in India at Jamnagar in Gujarat. India’s installed refining capacity has gone up to 178 million tonne in 2009. India has been able to partly offset its foreign exchange outgo by exports of petroleum products valued at $ 25 billion. The Engineers India Ltd is ready to share its expertise with Africa in areas like petroleum refineries, infrastructure, laying of offshore and onshore pipelines.

Apart from offering market for African petroleum products, including LNG, India needs to undertake development of Africa as an equal partner. Though Nigeria is a major producer and exporter of petroleum products, it suffers badly from electricity shortage. As energy crisis would become more acute in both in Africa and in India as the development process gather momentum, it would be better to go for an energy-mix policy including the use of renewable sources like like solar, wind and tidal energy, geothermal energy, hydrogen energy, ocean thermal energy conversion, nuclear energy. India can help Africa with its expertise in the renewable energy sector.

Speaking at the 2nd India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference, the special advisor to the Nigerian President, Dr Emmanuel O Egbogah invited Indian companies in his country’s oil and gas sector and informed about the changes being brought about through the new Petroleum Industry Bill pending before the National Assembly. Nigeria has formulated a Gas Master Plan.

Angola’s vice minister for petroleum, Jose Gaualter dos Remedios invited investments in transportation and distribution of gas and engagement of people in the new refinery. Gabon’s minister for mines, petrol and hydrocarbons, Nkoghe Bekalen Julian sought help for development of infrastructure for liquefaction of gas and for setting up of petrochemical plants. He invited Indian companies to bid in the mining sector. Oil has been discovered in the coastal sedimentary basin of the country. Gabon has rich deposits of platinum, potassium, iron ore, gold and diamond.

Ghana’s deputy minister of energy, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah lauded India’s help in rural electrification. He cited investment opportunities in the four main basins namely East, West, Central and Voltaian basins. Jubilee Field has been discovered in the deep sea. It has 800 million barrels of recoverable oil and 17 wells are planned to be drilled in the first phase which begins in 2010, while the second phase of operation would be in 2012-13.

The executive director of the Algerian public sector, Sonatrach, Benhammou Mohammed said his country was interested in building a top position in Atlantic Basin in upstream and down stream sectors. Algeria has partnered with two Indian companies for exploration in Libya. The chairman of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, Mahmoud Latif said that his country has invited two Indian companies – Alkor and GSPC – to invest in areas of geological surveys, exploration and production of oil and gas, hydropower generation and coal sector. Egypt has reserves in the Mediterranean, Nile Delta and North Sinai. About 24 gas discoveries have been made since July 2008.The general manager of Nigeria’s Oando Plc, Olu Ogunfowora invited Indian investments in the down stream sector The CEO of East Africa Essar Energy Ltd, Alok Sinha called for Indian investments in refinery’s downstream sector like captive power plants and also capacity building.

 

Benin’s minister for petroleum and mineral research, Barthelemy Kassa informed that researches were being carried out in the coastal sedimentary basins. He invited Indian companies in some specific blocks. Kenya’s assistant minister for energy, Mohamed M Mohamud informed that 15 blocks are currently available for bidding. He invited Indian participation in jetty construction, upgrading of refining technology, expansion of pipelines and additional storage facilities. Tanzania’s minister for energy and minerals, William Mganga Ngeleja informed that two new gas fields – Mkuranga and Kiliwani – were expected to be developed. He solicited help for construction of petroleum pipeline from Dar es Salam to Mwanza. He invited Indian participation in infrastructure, gas-based power plants, fertiliser and cement units, coal-to-liquid technology for methanol production, CNG/PNG for domestic and transportation needs, export of natural gas and

setting up of LNG terminals in PPP mode.

Uganda minister for energy and mineral development, Hilary Onek emphasised the need for petroleum production in 10 explorable blocks of Albertine Graben. He said that his country intends to develop medium to large refineries, implement short to long-term plans for developing resources and develop power sector through private sector participation.

 

Africa has much to give to India and the rest of the world provided the partnerships are on basis of mutual benefit and aiming at Africa’s development, not exploitation. The African leaders have made this clear in different such fora hosted by India. India too has responded by announcing $ 5.4 billion loan for development of Africa, supported by $ 500 million in grants for capacity building, doubling of scholarships to African students studying in India, increasing capacity building positions under India’s International Technical And Economic Programme and a duty free tariff preferential scheme to encourage African exports to India. Yet much needs to be done to bring both sides to an effective mutual cooperation. ----------

 

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