The MoU was signed recently at Nagpur
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI), Nagpur.
The MoU envisages promoting export by focussing on the creation of product-specific clusters along with the development of technologies by APEDA and ICAR-CCRI with a focus on efficient and precision farming.
The collaboration with two institutes of repute would focus on diversifying the export basket, destinations and boosting high-value agricultural products exports through establishing Brand India globally. Market development and traceability in citrus include strengthening forward and backward linkages, branding and marketing, the establishment of a market intelligence cell, the MoU states.
The MoU states that product development work consists of field digitisation, efficient quality control measures (Sanitary and Phytosanitary), development of organic farms. APEDA and ICAR-CCRI would also organise capacity building for farmers, entrepreneurs, exporters and other stakeholders to promote agri-businesses and exports.
The MoU was signed recently at Nagpur in the presence of Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India and Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA, aimed at promotion and handholding of farmers producer organisations and farmer producer companies and linking them with international markets.
According to MoU, APEDA and ICAR-CCRI would collaborate on developing climate-resilient agriculture, promoting GAP certification, blockchain technologies and shaping business models around the needs of the farmers. The development of export protocols for citrus, especially the sea transport for long-distance markets would be undertaken. The MoU also aims at pursuing collaborative activities that enhance technology transfer and technical expertise of the university and strengthening existing laboratory facilities for testing as per the requirement of importing countries and for obtaining NABL accreditation and APEDA recognition.
