The Buyer Seller Meet witnessed participation from over 30 exporters, nine importers and around 50 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) from Assam. The structured B2B platform enabled direct interactions between producers, exporters and buyers, facilitating discussions on trade opportunities and long-term partnerships.
Such engagements are crucial for bridging the gap between farm-level production and international markets, especially for organic and specialty agricultural products.
Assam’s Diverse Export Potential
Assam’s rich agro-climatic diversity offers immense potential for agricultural exports. The State produces a wide range of commodities with strong global demand, including Assam Joha Rice and other non-basmati speciality rice varieties.
In addition, fruits and vegetables such as banana, pineapple, mandarin orange and Assam lemon, along with organic spices like ginger, turmeric and black pepper, present significant opportunities for export-led growth. The conclave highlighted the need to leverage these strengths through improved aggregation and market access.
Focus on Certification and Compliance
A key component of the conclave was a sensitisation session on the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) 8th Edition. The session covered regulatory frameworks, certification procedures and labelling requirements to help exporters and Farmer Producer Organisations comply with international standards.
Enhancing awareness about certification and quality compliance is essential for building credibility in global markets and ensuring sustainable export growth.
Assam Government’s Commitment
Addressing the gathering, Assam’s Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and Excise, Shri Atul Bora, said that Assam and the Northeast possess a rich basket of organically grown agricultural and horticultural products with strong export potential. He emphasised that focused support in aggregation, certification and infrastructure would be key to transforming regional produce into globally competitive exports.
He reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to working closely with APEDA to ensure sustainable livelihoods for farmers while expanding export opportunities.
Strengthening Market Linkages
Commissioner and Secretary-cum-Agriculture Production Commissioner, Government of Assam, Smt. Aruna Rajoria, IAS, highlighted the importance of Assam’s GI-tagged and organic products in international markets. She stressed that stronger market linkages and certification support, in collaboration with APEDA, would enable farmers and entrepreneurs to access global markets in a commercially viable manner.
APEDA’s Export Promotion Vision
Chairman, APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev, appreciated the coordination and support of the Government of Assam in promoting agri-exports. He highlighted the immense potential of Assam’s agricultural and organic produce, supported by farmer-friendly provisions in the revised NPOP.
He also noted that expanded market access through Organic Mutual Recognition Agreements with Australia and New Zealand, along with recently concluded Free Trade Agreements with the United Kingdom, Oman and EFTA countries, would provide new growth avenues for Indian organic exports.
Building Assam’s Global Presence
The inaugural session was attended by senior officials including Director of Agriculture, Government of Assam, Shri Uday Praveen, IAS, along with exporters, importers and FPC representatives.
The Assam Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet underscores APEDA’s continued efforts to integrate regional strengths into India’s agri-export growth story, positioning Assam as a key contributor to high-value and sustainable agricultural exports.