“An export-led strategy is a way forward to improve productivity on a sustainable basis”

Exports of agricultural products (including marine and plantation products) for the year 2021-22 have crossed $50 billion, the highest ever achieved by India. This was made possible largely by rising global commodity prices and the favourable and aggressive export policy of the Ministry of Commerce and its various export promotion agencies like APEDA, MPEDA, and commodity boards. Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) interacts with AgroSpectrum about the future of agri-export in India. Edited excerpts;

What are the outcomes achieved by some new initiatives of APEDA in recent years?

APEDA’s new initiatives coupled with our Prime Minister’s theme ‘Local goes Global’ have endeavoured to drive new innovative/ geographical
indication (GI) products to the global market. This has gone some way in making India “Atma Nirbhar Bharat ” by pushing India’s agri-exports beyond $50 billion in 2021-22, pillared with a share of 52 per cent by APEDA’s agri-exports promotional strategy. There is a rise in exports in major export destinations, remarkable growth in each agri-sector, the media is always covering a display of mouth-watering tasty, delicious, healthy fruits in the stores of importing countries and the whole world is relishing a range of Indian products. India’s floriculture sector blossomed when India’s fragrance, GI tagged Madurai Malli (jasmine) spread in USA and Sharjah. Every now and then, APEDA flagged a new/GI product from unexplored villages to new destinations – amun fruit which was earlier known as poor man’s fruit, was displayed in London markets all the way from Lucknow, UP. Saffron from Kashmir was displayed in the markets of Dubai. Recently, APEDA facilitated export of freeze-dried strawberries from Madhya Pradesh to the USA. APEDA also organised an IBSM (International Buyer-Seller Meeting) in Ladakh facilitating B2B interactions for more than 30 producers of apricots and other agri-products from Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir to augment exports from the region. APEDA facilitated participation for various exporters in the Indian Agri Food Products Expo organised in Singapore with the High Commission of India, Enterprise Singapore, APC Singapore and Singapore Fruits & Vegetables Importers and Exporters Association. The exporters from different states showcased their products such as mangoes, grapes, guava, cherry, apricot, vegetables including lemon, okra, yam, bottle gourd, drumstick, potato, and nutri-cereal millets, at the BSM (Buyer-Seller Meeting). Opening up of regional offices and APEDA’s interventions has brought about a historic growth in agri-exports from Jammu Kashmir, Ladakh, and Varanasi. Nine new regional offices were opened which led to an increase in exports and flagging up of new products and GI products from these regions. APEDA facilitated development of an automated fumigation chamber in association with ICAR-CIPHET for treatment of grapes with SO2 and CO2 for export to New Zealand. A series of virtual BSMs with missions, importers of destination countries, exporters and product associations from India was organised. A week-long Indian mango promotion programme was organised in Bahrain where 16 varieties of the fruit including three GI certified mangoes from different states were displayed at 13 retail stores of importers. APEDA organised Vanijya Saptah across the country with a series of programmes supporting farmers, startup companies, cooperatives, FPOs, FPCs, exporters and service providers. APEDA participated with exporters in the London Wine Fair to promote Indian alcoholic beverages. APEDA has held a number of workshops and wine tasting events at international trade shows to raise awareness about the potential of Indian wines. The Indian wine industry grew tremendously making it the country’s fastest growing alcoholic beverage industry. APEDA handheld the farmers of remote villages and promoted exports. We reached every nook and corner of the country, even forest regions such as Korba and exported dehydrated Mahuva flowers to France. APEDA is progressing ahead with more innovations

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Exports of agricultural products (including marine and