Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), celebrated its 36th Foundation Day on 13th February 2022.
Background:
i.The Government of India established the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the APEDA Act passed by the Parliament in December 1985.
ii.The Act came into effect on 13th February 1986.
Events:
On the occasion of the 36th Foundation Day, APEDA has organised a series of events such as capacity building programmes for farmers and exporters and trade meets with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) / Farmer Producer Company (FPC), cooperatives & exporters.
Important Initiatives and Measures of APEDA:
i.Exports of APEDA:
- APEDA supports the government in taking the export of agricultural products to USD 20.67 billion in 2020-21 from USD 0.6 billion in 1986.
- APEDA constitutes around 49% of the overall agri-product exports in 2020-21. APEDA’s exports consist of Cereals and fresh horticulture (59%), cereal preparations and miscellaneous processed items (23%), and animal products (18%).
- The organisation has also supported the expansion of the export basket across 205 countries.
- APEDA’s target for 2021-22 is USD 23.7 billion, more than 70%, i.e., USD 17.20 billion has been achieved till January 2022
ii.Target: APEDA in collaboration with farmers, exporters, processors & state governments contributes to achieving the target of achieving USD 400 billion mercantile exports in FY 2021-22.
iii.Focus on GI tagged products:
- At present, there are 417 registered Geographical Indications (GI) products and around 150 GI tagged products are agricultural and food GI of which more than 100 are listed under the category of APEDA scheduled products (Fruits & Vegetables, Cereal, Confectionery, Herbal, Beverages etc.)
- Basmati Rice has been included in the Second Schedule of the APEDA Act.
- APEDA has been focusing on the promotion of exports of locally sourced Geographical Indications tagged as well as indigenous, ethnic agricultural products.
iv.APEDA has constituted a Market Intelligence Cell and the activity of circulation of the E-market intelligence reports comprising detailed market analysis has started.
v.APEDA has set up a Farmer Connect Portal on its website to offer a platform for FPOs/FPCs, and cooperatives to interact with exporters.
vi.APEDA integrated a blockchain solution into its GrapeNet traceability platform to promote the use of hybrid technology.
vii.GrapeNet, a web-based certification and traceability software system, is used to monitor fresh grapes exported from India to the European Union.
- APEDA Trust Chain, a blockchain solution, tracks all the details of the export consignment, like the location of the vineyards.
viii.In collaboration with the MoCI, APEDA has developed the Varanasi Agri-Export Hub and made landlocked Purvanchal a new destination for Agri export activities.
xi.Agri Export Policy:
- The implementation of revamped Agri Export Policy is also in the final stage as 21 states and two union territories (UTs) – Ladakh and The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have already finalised the state-specific action plan.
- States with specific action plans are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh (The action plans of the remaining 7 states are at different stages of finalisation).
- In consultation with the Indian Embassies and High Commissions of various countries, the country-specific agri-export strategy reports have been prepared for 60 countries to utilise the opportunities emerging during COVID-19 pandemic and the potential for Agri exports to countries.
To enhance the export of agricultural products APEDA promoted Information Technology (IT)-enabled activities for ease of doing business in the promotion and development of exports from India.
Initiatives like paperless office, APEDA Mobile App, phase-wise delivery of online services, monitoring and evaluation, uniform access, and virtual trade fair has been taken to ensure efficient and effective governance.
About APEDA:
Chairman– Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS
Headquarter– New Delhi, Delhi
