Agriculture and processed food products export development authority (APEDA)
Why in news?
APEDA recently inaugurated a regional office in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to boost agricultural and processed food exports from the region. This move supports farmers, cooperatives, and exporters through services like registration, market intelligence, and certification.​
About APEDA
- The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, established in 1986 to promote and develop the export of agricultural and processed food products.
- APEDA replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC) and has since become the nodal agency for promoting India’s agri-exports.
Functions of APEDA
- Export Promotion: Facilitates and promotes exports of scheduled products (fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy, confectionery, alcoholic beverages, etc.).
- Certification & Standards: Provides quality certification, traceability systems, and compliance with international standards.
- Capacity Building: Organizes training, workshops, and trade meets for farmers, exporters, and producer groups.
- Market Development: Supports infrastructure, branding, and participation in international trade fairs.
- Schemes: Runs initiatives like the NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) and AgriExchange portal for market intelligence.
Achievements
- Export Growth: From USD 0.6 billion in 1987-88 to USD 24.77 billion in 2021-22, with targets close to USD 30 billion by 2022-23.
- Global Reach: APEDA products are exported to over 200 countries worldwide.
- Recent Expansion: New regional offices, such as in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to empower farmers and boost exports of GI-tagged rice varieties like Jeeraphool and Nagri Dubraj, along with fruits and minor forest produce.
Key Products under APEDA
- Basmati and non-basmati rice
- Fruits & vegetables (fresh and processed)
- Meat & poultry products
- Dairy products
- Confectionery, biscuits, and bakery items
- Alcoholic beverages
- Organic products
Challenges & Considerations
- Global Competition: India faces competition from countries with advanced agri-tech.
- Quality Standards: Meeting stringent international norms is critical.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Cold chains, logistics, and certification facilities need expansion.
- Farmer Awareness: Small farmers often lack knowledge of export procedures.
