APEDA hosts Capacity Building Programme and Buyer Meet in Mirzapur to unlock agricultural export potential
To tap into the export potential of agricultural and processed
food products from Eastern Uttar Pradesh, also known as Purvanchal,
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
organized the 'Agri-Export: Capacity Building cum Buyer-Seller Meet' in
Mirzapur yesterday. The event was graced by the Union Minister of State for
Commerce and Industry, Anupriya Patel, as the Chief Guest. A host of other
dignitaries led by Ram Shakal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), senior
Government officials, representatives from exporter associations, Farmer
Producer Organizations (FPOs), stakeholders and public representatives of the
area graced the event. The event drew a very enthusiastic response from farmers
with over 1500+ farmers attending the event.
In her keynote address, Anupriya
Patel stressed the significance of increasing agricultural exports,
highlighting their potential in not only contributing to the nation’s foreign
exchange but also significantly raising incomes of the farmers, being the
largest sector in terms of employment. She reiterated the commitment of the
Government of India in raising farmers' income and well-being, citing various
schemes of the Government of India and underscored the resolve of the
Department of Commerce to facilitate their access to global markets. She also
underscored the government's focus on infrastructure development across diverse
agricultural sectors such as horticulture, spices, and marine products. She
highlighted one such upcoming significant project, the 'Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel Niryat Suvidha Kendra' coming up in Chunar, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh,
which, when completed in the near term, will significantly boost agricultural
exports from the region, making Poorvanchal an agri export Hub of the nation.
Chairman, APEDA, Abhishek
Dev expressed the government's commitment to enhancing export opportunities for
FPOs and farmers by focusing on market linkages and augmenting export
infrastructure. He informed that APEDA, which celebrated its 38th Foundation
day on 13th February, 2024 is fully committed towards boosting incomes of all
stakeholders in the agri export value chain, particularly the farmers, by
providing them the requisite training and exposure to emerging market
opportunities. He reiterated that APEDA will continue to organise such events
in the near future, for the benefit of all the stakeholders.
The 'Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel Niryat Suvidha Kendra' marks a significant milestone in advancing
agricultural and allied sector exports. This newly developing infrastructure is
envisioned to serve as a comprehensive single-window system catering to the
needs of FPOs, farmers, exporters, and other stakeholders. The project spread
in an area of 5 Acres in the Chunar sub-division of Mirzapur district boasts a
modern packhouse with all the requisite facilities. Further, the project also
boasts a training facility which will benefit all the farmers and FPO’s/FPC’s
of the region. Finally, the project will also have offices of major
export-oriented government bodies namely, MPEDA, Spices Board, IIP, EIC which
will serve the agri-export ecosystem of the region.
With APEDA's intervention,
the Purvanchal region now boasts crucial export facilities like cold rooms at
Varanasi Airport, quarantine and custom clearance services, and the activation
of the airport for agri air cargo, all of which were previously lacking in
2019. The Varanasi Airport's handling of 702 MT of perishable cargo until
December 23, surpassing last year's figure of 561 MT, truly reflects a notable
advancement in the region's agri-export capabilities. APEDA also facilitated in
inviting leading buyers from across India, organizing Buyer Seller Meets with
FPOs and farmers to directly connect them with international markets.
It may be emphasized that
APEDA's initiatives have propelled Uttar Pradesh to become the third-largest
exporting state in the financial year 2023-24 (April 23 to Nov 23), trailing
only Gujarat and Maharashtra. APEDA's successful tapping of the Gangetic belt's
potential has empowered FPOs and exporters to bolster agri-exports from the
region. Approximately 50 FPOs have been promoted as exporters for agri exports,
with over 20 actively engaged in both direct and deemed exports.
A diverse range of
agricultural products, including fresh fruits and vegetables such as Green
Chilies, Mangoes, Tomatoes, Okra, Potato, Water Chestnut, Cranberry, Banana,
Jimikand, Ivy Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Pointed Gourd, Arvi, Ginger, fresh marigold,
and rice, have been exported, underscoring the region's capacity to meet global
demand.