APEDA Builds An Agricultural Marketing Network For J&K, Ladakh
APEDA/ Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority are working to popularize Jammu, Kashmir, and Lakadh’s unique agricultural products, including Mushkbudji aromatic rice Acacia honey, and Kashmir valley apples.
In August and September, the first commercial shipments of Ladakh Halman apricots from Leh to Dubai began. Local business people from Kargil handled the exports.
In August, samples of Mushkbudji rice and Acacia honey were shipped to Dubai, Oman, and other West Asian markets. As samples, apples grown in the Kashmir valley were also delivered to the same markets.
After the export value chain is established, regular shipments of this commodity to West Asia will commence.
APEDA, which is charged with promoting agricultural exports from the three union territories, has also taken steps to educate producers, exporters, government officials, and other stakeholders on the National Programme for Organic Production’s (NPOP) criteria. This is critical if exports are to increase.
As a consequence, during March-April this year, Kashmir Saffron, a GI tag product, was sent to Dubai and other West Asian markets, while the Mishri type of Kashmir valley cherries was shipped to Dubai during June-July. The cherries are receiving repeat export orders, the press statement said.
Last month, seabuckthorn juice, pulp, concentrate, oil, and herbal fusion tea product samples were supplied to Indian corporate food makers for the creation of products for the domestic and international markets. According to the press release, the items may take some time to reach the worldwide food market.
Seed certification officials, the Directorate of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry, and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) of Srinagar and Jammu Regions were all sensitized by APEDA to join the Organic Certification Agency under the NPOP in July 2021.
The authority signed memorandums of understanding with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) for technical assistance and promotional activities aimed at increasing productivity and promoting potential regional products.
Following the declaration, APEDA conducted a survey on the export logistics requirements for Jammu and Kashmir with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Central Warehousing Corporation, and other relevant departments to create X-ray and handling facilities the issuance of phytosanitary certificates.
APEDA also held a virtual buyer-seller meeting in the Jammu and Kashmir regions to generate business leads, with 34 stakeholders from Kashmir and 25 from Jammu in attendance.
APEDA has also developed and provided a draft Agri Export Plan for the Kashmir valley and Jammu division and identified potential export products like apple, cherry, walnut, honey, saffron, rice, and gucchi.
The union territory of Ladakh has developed an agro export strategy that includes prospective export items like seabuckthorn and apricots.
In September 2021, the APEDA plans to organize a stakeholders’ meeting with start-ups, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, FPOs, FPCs, UT officials, and agricultural university administration.
APEDA also co-hosted a Vanijya Utsav in Leh on September 21-22, where stakeholders discussed how to connect products from the union area to the international market.