APEDA’s international conclave cum buyer seller meet boosts organic agri export from U’khand
Sunday, 14 January 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) marked an important initial milestone in the promotion of organic agricultural exports with the organisation of the International Conclave Cum Buyer Seller Meet for Organic Products in Dehradun. The conclave witnessed active collaboration between APEDA and the State government to amplify agricultural exports, particularly organic exports from the State. Twenty buyers/importers of food products participated in the event from seven nations namely Russia, Hong Kong, UAE, Uganda, Lebanon, Belarus and Spain, reflecting the rising global interest in Uttarakhand’s organic produce.
The event attracted around 250 participants, including key stakeholders such as State Government departments, Central government agencies, importers, progressive exporters of organic produce and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Ten stalls showcasing different organic produce like vegetables, fruits, millets, honey, tea, Basmati rice, essential oils, medicinal plants, jiggery and sugar were set up by various agencies and stakeholders to showcase their initiatives and products.
In his keynote address, Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi outlined the State’s favourable geographical conditions and agricultural climate, positioning Uttarakhand as a potential hub for horticultural crops. He informed about the government’s initiatives to transform the State into a major organic state with a goal of achieving 50 per cent organic share in total output by 2025, to convert all mountain districts into completely organic districts, with an overall focus on increasing farmers’ income through various schemes. He lauded the initiative taken by APEDA in organising the meet and assured full support of the State government in boosting organic exports from Uttarakhand.
APEDA chairman Abhishek Dev in his address, emphasised importance of the maiden international buyer-seller meet in the State for the organic sector in the State, marking the initiation of several initiatives to foster the growth of organic production and exports from the State. He highlighted the massive opportunity presented by the USD 147 billion global organic food market. Dev outlined the recent steps taken by APEDA in promoting organic exports and the way forward and near term initiatives to boost organic exports from India and Uttarakhand in particular. Agriculture secretary VK Suman spoke of the various initiatives taken by the State government for organic production and promotion in the domestic market.
The conclave saw active participation from the progressive exporters from across India, importers from seven potential nations and over 100 organic agri producers from the State. At the conclusion of the conclave, Joshi flagged off two consignments of fresh vegetables from Uttarakhand to the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
