Move aims to integrate farmers with global markets and scale exports of rice, horticulture, and forest produce

In a bid to position Chhattisgarh as a key player in India’s agricultural and processed food exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has inaugurated its Regional Office in Raipur. The launch coincided with the 2nd India International Rice Summit, underscoring the State’s growing prominence in the rice export ecosystem.

The new office is expected to serve as a critical enabler for farmers, farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and exporters by offering export registration, advisory services, market intelligence, certification support, and assistance with infrastructure and global market linkages. APEDA officials noted that the Raipur office has already facilitated exports of fortified rice kernels from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea, signalling early traction.

Chhattisgarh’s export potential spans premium non-basmati rice varieties and GI-tagged products such as Jeeraphool and Nagri Dubraj rice, alongside fruits and vegetables including guava, banana, dragon fruit, jackfruit, custard apple, tomato, and cucumber. The State’s minor forest produce—such as mahua, tamarind, and medicinal plants—also offers scope for diversification in global markets.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the APEDA office as a strategic step to integrate Chhattisgarh’s farmers into the global economy. He highlighted opportunities in high-value and sustainable agri-exports and thanked Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal for approving the office at the State’s request, reaffirming the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural and organic exports.

The inauguration took place during the two-day India International Rice Summit, organised by the Rice Exporters Association of Chhattisgarh in collaboration with APEDA. The event featured focused discussions on organic rice exports, non-basmati rice, and the promotion of GI-tagged rice varieties—areas that are increasingly central to India’s agri-export growth strategy.