From “leteku” (Burmese grapes) to flat beans, pumpkin, and an array of fruits including pineapple, jackfruit, starfruit, plums, and the newly designated state fruit, Kaji lemon—alongside geographical indication (GI)-tagged aromatic Joha and Aijung rice cultivated in [relevant region], have notably penetrated international markets, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for farmers.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industries has reported a remarkable 85% surge in agricultural product exports from the Northeast region over the past seven years, witnessing a substantial increase from $2.52 million in 2016-17 to $17.2 million in 2021-22.
APEDA has played a pivotal role not only in bolstering the agricultural community in Assam but also in extending support to farmers from other North-eastern states, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh, facilitating their entry into international markets. The strategic geopolitical location of the Northeast region, bordered by China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh, positions it as a promising hub for exporting agricultural produce to both nearby nations and global markets.
The primary export destinations have encompassed Bangladesh, Bhutan, West Asia, the UK, and Europe. In a proactive approach, APEDA arranged field trips for importers, predominantly from West Asia, Southeast Asian nations, European countries, and Australia, aiming to acquaint them with the high-caliber farming practices adopted by local farmers, fostering potential market collaborations.
To bolster export awareness in the Northeast, APEDA orchestrated over 100 capacity-building programs, empowering stakeholders with insights into export dynamics. Additionally, APEDA facilitated more than 20 international buyer-seller meets and trade fairs in the region, serving as instrumental platforms for networking and trade expansion.
APEDA is actively working towards establishing a platform in Assam where exporters can directly procure products from producer groups and processors. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between producers, processors, and exporters from different regions of the country, thus expanding the export market in the North-eastern states, including Assam. By facilitating direct links between stakeholders, this platform holds the potential to create more job opportunities for residents of the state.
Of significance is APEDA’s memorandum of understanding signed with Assam Agriculture University in Jorhat in 2022. This collaboration is geared towards conducting various training programs on pre- and post-harvest management, alongside engaging in research activities aimed at enhancing exports from the region. Notably, Assam Lemon has already established a regular export route to destinations like London and West Asia, underscoring the region’s potential in global markets.