Dhenkanal: After mangoes, the demand for Dhenkanal’s green papaya is growing internationally.

The fruit’s unique taste and health benefits have sparked interest among consumers abroad. A total of one tonne of green papaya, cultivated by 14 women farmers from the Saptasajya Agro Producer Company under the Sadar block of Dhenkanal district, was exported to London last week.

Similarly, green papaya harvested from the Ghatipiri area of the Odapada block was shipped to Dublin in Ireland, through the Madan Mohan Cooperative Society.

This marks the first time that green papaya from Dhenkanal has been exported outside India. Most of these women farmers belong to tribal communities.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export process, aiming to provide significant economic benefits to local farmers. Previously, mangoes grown in Dhenkanal had been exported to Dubai. With the rising demand for fruits like green papaya and mangoes grown in the region, there is a crucial need for cold storage facilities.

Meanwhile, farmers have urged authorities to operationalise the abandoned mango hub and the fruit and vegetable preservation centre located along the national highway in Gobindpur under Sadar block.

Dhenkanal Deputy Director of Horticulture Gitashree Padhi stated that green papaya from the district has been exported to London and Ireland for the first time through Saptasajya Agro Producer Company and the Madan Mohan Cooperative Society, with support from APEDA.

She emphasised that such initiatives would encourage farmers and strengthen their economic standing.

PNN

New Delhi: Export of agri-commodities, including basmati rice, declined to 17.93 lakh tonnes in September this year compared to 27.94 lakh tonnes in the previous month, according to agri-export promotion body APEDA.

Exports of agri-commodities in April and May were around 33 lakh tonnes each. However, shipments of farm items fell to nearly 18 lakh tonnes due to several restrictions on the export of various varieties of rice, including broken rice and non-basmati white rice.

Export of agricultural items stood at 27.94 lakh tonnes in August of the 2023-24 fiscal, according to the data maintained by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

In value terms, the export of farm items declined to Rs 14,153 crore during September from Rs 18,128 crore in August of this fiscal.

Much of the exports in September were non-basmati exports which stood at 4.25 lakh tonne, basmati rice at 1.21 lakh tonne, fresh onions at 1.51 lakh tonne, and buffalo meat at 1,21,427 tonne, the data showed.

Total export of agri-commodities in April-September stood at 172.27 lakh tonnes.

The export of certain agricultural commodities has taken a hit this year because of the prohibition on various varieties of rice, the imposition of a minimum export price on basmati rice to boost domestic supply and check food inflation.

APEDA maintains data on the export of 47 agricultural commodities including meat and poultry products.

PTI

New Delhi: India no longer remains dependent on the US for its natural honey exports and has started eying the other lucrative markets such as the UK, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

“We are working in close collaboration with the state governments, farmers, and other stakeholders in the value chain to boost exports to other countries and regions such as the United Kingdom, European Union, and South East Asia,” The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman, Dr M. Angamuthu said.

India is also renegotiating the duty structure imposed by various countries for boosting honey exports.

At present, India’s natural honey exports are majorly dependent on one market – the US which accounts for more than 80 per cent of the exports.

APEDA has been facilitating honey producers in accessing export markets besides availing government assistance under different schemes, quality certification, and lab testing. It is working with the exporters to deal with the challenges such as higher freight cost, limited availability of containers in peak honey export season, higher Nuclear Magnetic Resonance test costs, and inadequate export incentives.

India exported 59,999 metric tons (MT) of natural honey worth Rs 716 crore ( $96.77 million) during 2020-21, with the US taking a major share at 44,881 MT. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, and Canada were the other top destinations for Indian honey.

With the total honey exports globally in 2020 at 736,266.02 MT, India ranks 8th and 9thAin the world in honey producing and exports, respectively.

The government approved an allocation of Rs 500 crore for the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) for three years (2020-21 to 2022-23). The mission, announced as part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat initiative in February 2021, aims for the overall promotion & development of scientific beekeeping in the country to achieve the goal of “Sweet Revolution” which is being implemented through the National Bee Board (NBB). There is a budget of Rs 170 crore for the mini mission. The purpose is for developing beekeeping in the country, developing honey clusters, improving the quality and productivity of honey, and also increasing exports.

IANS

Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shobha Karandlaje Monday underlined the need to promote agriculture exports which could facilitate doubling of farmers’ income within a reasonable timeframe.

The Central government would work closely with the state government to propel India as a major exporter of agriculture products, she said.

Addressing senior agriculture officials of Telangana and the Central government at BRKR Bhavan, the minster emphasised the need to have a dedicated cell to monitor agriculture exports which would coordinate with the Centre, the state government, APEDA and the farmers to ensure that the farmers get value addition to their produce.

Karandlaje complimented the state government for taking up ambitious programme of growing oil palm in 20 lakh acres in the state which would help save the country lots of foreign exchange.

State Agriculture, Cooperation and Marketing Minister S. Niranjan Reddy briefed the Union Minister about the various initiatives of the state government which had resulted in 38 per cent increase in crop area and 68 per cent increase in crop production during the last seven years.

He stated that the focus of the state government is to increase profitability for the farmers, retain rural youth in agriculture, achieve crop diversification, farm mechanisation, increased emphasis on horticulture especially oil palm, and improving nutrient and fertiliser efficiency.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar referred to the Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Project as an engineering marvel and which has resulted in increasing ground water level. He also drew the attention of the Union Minister about the innovative schemes, such as Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bhima and Rythu Vedikas, which are being implemented only in Telangana.

Agriculture Secretary Raghunandan Rao said that irrigation, power, investment support, extension systems, input supply, infrastructure support, and social security for farmers are the major drivers of the exponential growth of agriculture potential in the state.

Karandlaje also visited the Centre of Excellence (vegetables and flowers) at Jeedimetla.

IANS