On 3rd December, 2020 Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address the key interests of Agriculture and allied sectors for bringing better value to the stakeholders and Implementing Agriculture Export Policy (AEP).
The MoU was signed virtually at the respective headquarters, by Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary APEDA and Mr. Nilay D. Kapoor, Chief General Manager, NABARD.
Areas of Cooperation under the MoU:
APEDA and NABARD will cooperate in the following functions,
i.Capacity development of farm related stakeholders.
ii.Organising awareness programs and workshops.
iii.Implement Measures to double farmers’ income by 2022.
iv.Extending benefits of NABARD & APEDA initiatives for development of Farmers Producers Organisations (FPO).
v.To provide technical knowhow to cooperatives/FPOs to upscale infrastructure created for post-harvest management for APEDA scheduled products to promote exports.
vi.Jointly identify cluster districts to provide assistance in soil based farming techniques.APEDA will facilitate exports by the FPOs assisted/promoted by NABARD.
Agriculture Export Policy(AEP):
Implemented in 2018, aimed at doubling the farmers’ income by 2022.
Some of the key implementations are,
i.15 states have State specific Action Plan and 28 States & 4 UTs have nominated Nodal agencies. 21 States & 1 UT has formed state level monitoring committees to look over the AEP implementation under the Chairmanship of State Chief Secretary.
ii.20 cluster level committees formed in the cluster districts for,
- Potato in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (2 districts), Isabgol in Rajasthan, Gujarat (2 districts)
- 3 districts of Maharashtra for Orange, Pomegranate, Grapes, Banana
- Orange in MP
- Banana in Tamil Nadu, Kerala
- Mango in UP
- Dairy products in Gujarat, UP
- Rose Onion in Karnataka
- Vegetables in UP
Functions-
i.Promote and Implement export oriented agricultural production
ii.Farmers’ centric approach for value addition, minimizing losses
iii.Eliminate supply side issues by Forming clusters of Agro Climatic Zones in the country.
iv.Management of soil nutrients for higher productivity through market oriented crops.
Note – Agriculture Export policy under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries is implemented by APEDA.
Recent Related News:
i.The Centre set up a new body, Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF) to give impetus to rice exports under the aegis of Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Promotion Development Authority(APEDA).
ii.NABARD has organized the first “digital choupal”, announced two schemes each Rs 5,000 crore to refinance banks and financial institutions for providing finance to the beneficiaries of its 2,150 watershed development projects.
About National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD):
Established in 1982
Chairman- Govinda Rajulu Chintala
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Note – NABARD was established on the recommendations of B.Sivaramman Committee (by Act 61, 1981 of Parliament) on 12 July 1982 to implement the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act 1981
About Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA):
Formed in 1986 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
Chairman- Dr. M. Angamuthu
Secretary- Dr. Sudhanshu
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Note – APEDA was formed after Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed in Parliament in 1985.
