The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is playing a pivotal role in empowering Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and boosting agricultural exports from India’s eastern region. Through a series of strategic initiatives, APEDA is not only unlocking export opportunities for the region’s farmers but also enhancing their contribution to the national agricultural export landscape, positioning them to compete and thrive in the global market.
Exposure Visit to UAE: Recognizing the value of firsthand experience and market immersion, APEDA organized an exposure visit to the UAE for a delegation of 47 members representing FPOs from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand. This visit provided them with invaluable insights into the UAE market dynamics, consumer preferences, and import regulations.- Market Exploration and Buyer Interactions: During the visit, FPO representatives actively explored the Al-Aweer fruit and vegetable market, gaining a valuable understanding of the market infrastructure, prevailing prices, and prevailing demand trends. They further engaged with buyers at LuLu Hypermarket, a major retail chain, establishing initial business relationships and securing promising leads for future exports. These crucial interactions not only opened doors to new market opportunities but also fostered greater confidence and a more informed approach towards exporting their produce.
- Sharing Learnings and Best Practices: Upon their return from the UAE, the visiting FPO representatives participated in a dedicated program in Varanasi, sharing their learnings and insights with other farmers from the region. This knowledge-sharing session not only disseminated valuable information about the UAE market and export requirements but also created a platform for peer-to-peer learning and capacity building within the local farming community.
- Emphasis on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): The program also emphasized the importance of adhering to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) throughout the production process. This focus on quality control ensures that the produce meets international standards and export regulations, enhancing its marketability and competitiveness in the global arena.
- Fresh Turmeric Export: As a tangible outcome of the exposure visit and subsequent interactions, an FPO successfully finalized an order of fresh turmeric for export to the UAE, marking a significant step forward for the region’s agricultural exports. This initial success story not only demonstrates the effectiveness of APEDA’s initiatives but also serves as a powerful motivator and confidence booster for other FPOs in the region.
- Identifying New Opportunities and Expanding Export Portfolio: Recognizing the diverse agricultural potential of the region, the program also highlighted potential products like mangoes, green chillies, and okra, which are in high demand in the UAE market. This information equips FPOs to explore new export opportunities and diversify their product portfolio, reducing dependence on traditional crops and mitigating market risks.
- APEDA’s Regional Focus: Recognizing the Purvanchal region’s immense agricultural potential and strategic location, APEDA established a dedicated regional wing in Varanasi. This regional presence allows APEDA to provide more focused support, address local challenges effectively, and foster closer collaboration with farmers and stakeholders in the region.
- Prioritizing Empowerment and Inclusion: APEDA prioritizes enrolling FPOs dealing with One District One Product (ODOP) and Geographical Indication (GI) certified products, recognizing their unique value proposition and potential for market differentiation. Additionally, APEDA actively supports FPOs led by women, Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities, and those from the North Eastern Region (NER), Himalayan states, and landlocked areas. This inclusive approach ensures equitable distribution of benefits and empowers marginalized communities to participate actively in the agricultural export ecosystem.
- Collaboration and Sensitization: APEDA actively collaborates with government officials, agricultural experts, and relevant stakeholders to conduct workshops and training programs. These sessions sensitize farmers and FPOs about the intricacies of the agricultural export supply chain, including packaging, documentation, and international trade regulations. This collaborative approach equips FPOs with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the export process effectively and compete successfully in the global market.
