Talk of pineapple exports from Northeast, and APEDA is in the news for spearheading the initiative. A lot of focus has been given by Government of India in export of agri-produce from Northeast which is bearing fruits. A no stranger to Assam in bureaucratic circles, M Angamuthu who is now the chairman of APEDA( Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority) speaks to BusinessNortheast on initiatives being taken by his organization to give a big boost to agri-produce from Northeast.
Q. There has been talk of the Northeast being promoted as an agri export hub. Can you tell us more about that?
A. North East Region is endowed with diverse agro-climatic conditions which are conducive for cultivation of various kinds of horticultural crops. The location of the region is geo-politically important as it shares international boundaries with China and Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh. This strategic location of NER makes it the potential hub for export of horticultural produce to neighboring countries. Horticultural crops in the NE region cover 857 thousand ha, constituting 2.34% of the total horticulture area in the country. From the production point of view, NE region produces about 7815 thousand MT of horticulture produce and contributes 6.79% to the total production basket of the country. Major horticultural crops grown in the NE region include citrus, pineapple, kiwi, mango, guava, litchi, banana etc. among fruits, potato, onion, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, brinjal, beans etc. among vegetables, chrysanthemum, anthurium, rose, orchids etc. in flowers, ginger, turmeric large cardamom, coriander, cumin among spices and cashew nut, arecanut and tea etc. among plantation crops.
The NE region witnessed more than 200 percent growth in the export of agricultural products as it increased from USD 14.16 million in 2020-21 to USD 50.84 million in 2021-22. The major destination of export is Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Middle East, the UK and Europe. The value does not include exports which have taken from other state ports (apart from the NE states) and therefore exports revenue could be much more. APEDA has been regularly interacting with the 8 State Govts. of NER and pursuing them for export promotion and effective implementation of Agri Export Policy in order to harness the potential of fresh agri produce like Assam lemon, ginger, jackfruit, pineapple, kiwi, red chilly etc. Buyer Seller Meet cum Workshop (between Exporter & FPOs) were organised in the identified Cluster of Meghalaya (Organic Turmeric) and Agartala, Tripura (Pineapple) on in association with the State Nodal agencies, to provide a common platform to FPOs to interact with the trade and provide handholding for initiating export activities further. A series of Outreach programs, International Buyer seller meets, Exposure visits have been organised in association with the State govts. of North East to boost the exports of fresh produce from the region. Fresh jackfruit (from Tripura), Burmese grapes, Tender jackfruit & green chilli (Assam) and GI tagged King chilli (Nagaland) have been sourced from the farmers in NER and exported to multiple destinations.
Q. Lot of awareness programmes have been done by APEDA to educate farmers and traders on the agri-processed sector in the Northeast. How much impact has it made?
A. Number of awareness programmes have been organized by APEDA to sensitize farmers and entrepreneurs from North East Region. It has impacted very well. Due to the efforts made, following New products sourced from North East were exported to New Destinations
i. First export consignment of Jackfruit from Tripura to UK ii. First export consignment of Jackfruit from Tripura to Germany
iii. First shipment of Burmese Grapes from Assam to UAE
iv. First shipment of Tender Jackfruit and Green Chilli from Assam to UAE
v. First shipment of Tezpur Litch (GI) from Assam to UK
vi. First shipment of Assam lemon (GI) from Baksha district, Assam to UK vii. Export of Iron rich Red Rice of Assam to USA
viii. First shipment of GI products to Vietnam
ix. First export consignment of King Chilly (Raja Mircha), a GI crop from Nagaland to London
x. Export of Assam Lemon (KajiNemu) having Geographical Indication tag to UK and UAE
xi. Export of Flat Beans (Lab-Lab Beans) to the UK and UAE xii. Export of Natural Honey to USA from Assam
xiii. First Trial Shipment of fresh organic pineapple from Manipur to Dubai Multi- modal Logistics.
Q. There have been a lot of pineapple exports from the Northeast to destinations across the world. How much is the export market for pineapples from the Northeast and what has been the response from the buyers?
A. North east states contributes 923.52 thousand MT in India’s total production of 1740.72 thousand MT in 2021-22. Having a share of 53% in India’s production of pineapple in 2021-22 The total import value of Pineapple was USD 2430.50 million in 2020 and India’s total export was USD 3.07 million. We are in a process of taking number of initiatives for promotion of pineapple exports. Recently APEDA has organized pineapple promotion programs in Lulu Hyper Mart, a leading Retail Chain Store in Dubai sourced from North Eastern Region. There was a very good feedback from the buyers about the acceptance of the taste and quality of pineapple from North Eastern Region.
Q. How much focus does APEDA give to the Northeast? How much money is spent for the Northeast of its total budget?
A. APEDA has allocated adequate budget for developmental activities in Noth Eastern Region for promotion of Agri Exports. However, other line Ministries also have a provision for allocation of budget for development of North Eastern Region including agriculture production and exports. APEDA is making its efforts for having a synergy with all line Ministries and concerned organizations for utilization of resources in a cohesive manner.
Q. Organic sector is yet another big issue in the Northeast. Are the farmers getting premium prices? What are some of the barriers?
A. The overall increase in agri exports which includes Organic Products from North Eastern Region has enabled in fetching better price realization for farmers at the farm gate. APEDA functions as the Secretariat of the Certification Bodies under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for Organic exports. APEDA has set up traceability system for organic exports (Tracenet). Of late, Organic farming emerged as the potential sector for leveraging its naturally organic status and specific commodities where chances were there for generating surplus. For the first time after implementation of NPOP, the organic export has crossed US$ 1 billion ie. USD 1040 million in 2020-21.
A series of initiatives have been undertaken for integration of Farmer groups in the export value chain. Collaboration with organizations viz. NABARD, NCDC, SFAC, NAFED, TRIFED have been made for the development and strengthening of FPOs for increasing agri exports. Capacity Building/training programs have been carried out in the Agri Clusters' and States in association with the State departments, SAUs, KVKs for the FPOs/FPCs/SHGs/exporters in order to provide linkage of the Farmer groups to exports and to promote the entrepreneurs for becoming prospective exporters.
Q. Geographical Indications (GI) tagged products are in much demand these days and there are a number of products from the Northeast already in it. What is your organization doing to make GI-tagged products reach the market faster?
A. Various initiatives have been taken by APEDA to promote the unique GI products from North Eastern Region such as organizing buyer seller meet, awareness workshop. Geographical Indications becomes a powerful tool depicting its uniqueness and distinct characteristics to a product. Training and awareness programmes for farmers, exporters and other stakeholders on the importance of these GI products, registration process and requirements for GI and know how on quality production was held in Guwahati in May 2022. Exclusive buyer seller meet was held with exporters and importers for GI products such as Joha Rice of Assam, Chak – Hao (Black Rice) of Manipur, Tezpur Litchi of Assam, Kaji Nemu of Assam, Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger of Assam and Naga Chilli from Nagaland. APEDA also organized a Conference on export potential of Natural, Organic and Geographical Indications (GI) agro products in Guwahati on June 24, 2022 to tap the abundant export potential of natural, organic and GI agricultural products from Assam and neighboring states of NER.
Q. How much does India contribute to agri-exports in the global market?
A. India’s share in global Agri export trade is 2.16% in 2020 (Source: WTO Stat). India’s Agri export contributes nearly 12% (USD 49.07 bn) of its total merchandise exports (FY 2021-22). The share of APEDA exports (USD 24.07 bn) constitutes 50% in overall agri product exports during 2021-22 out of which, Cereals and Fresh horticulture comprise 65%, Cereal preparations & Miscellaneous Processed items 18% and Animal products 17%.
Q. What are some of the problems which you have seen in the Northeast when it comes to exporting products from the region?
A. The following bottlenecks are being faced in agriculture exports which need to be addressed for increasing exports from North Eastern Region:
Q. Is there any good news coming from APEDA for the Northeast?
A. In the coming days APEDA will make all efforts for carrying out branding of Agri Produce of North East Region.
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