CHANDIGARH: In an effort to connect farmer groups with global markets, India has exported 24 tonnes of frozen food products from Haryana to Canada and one tonne of makhana from Bihar to Greece.
The latest shipments come as India seeks to expand exports of agricultural and processed food products by strengthening farmer-level aggregation, processing and market linkages.
The frozen food consignment comprised 2,295 boxes containing green peas, mixed vegetables, peas and carrots, sweet corn and samosas, among other products.
Valued at CAD 35,140, the shipment was sent from Sonipat by Aterna Foods Producer Company Limited and flagged off by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
The shipment is being seen as an example of how FPO-led processing and export models can help farmer groups move beyond selling raw agricultural produce and participate in international value chains.
“The export creates new market opportunities for Indian farmers and food producers while strengthening linkages between FPOs, exporters and global buyers,” said APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev. He acknowledged the contribution of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) and expressed optimism about expanding exports to the Canadian market.
Dev said direct exports by the FPO would significantly enhance value realisation for producers.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the export of products such as green peas, mixed vegetables, sweet corn and samosas was a significant step towards connecting farmers to the global value chain and securing better prices for their produce.
The export unit was supported by APEDA under its Financial Assistance Scheme. APEDA said linking agricultural produce with processing and international markets can help improve returns for producers and strengthen farmer groups’ participation in the export value chain.
The authority has been facilitating linkages between FPOs and exporters to strengthen market access and help farmer groups participate in export-oriented value chains.
India is the global leader in makhana production, with Bihar accounting for 80-85 per cent of the country's output. Makhana cultivation in Bihar spans more than 35,000 hectares across 10 districts. The sector is supported by grassroots-level technical interventions from Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, and the ICAR-National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga.
