Ladakh’s Distinctive Agricultural Products Will Be Promoted By The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, known as APEDA, has chosen to market and brand organic foods from Ladakh to increase agricultural exports and incomes.
The endeavour will be carried out in collaboration with Union territory officials and the help of the Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR).
The commerce ministry noted that recognized areas of work include the development of medicinal fruits such as sea buckthorn and apricot and the adoption of a traceability system, capacity building of farmers, and value addition of products.
Apeda will provide technical assistance to stakeholders such as businesses, bureaucrats, and farmers for stakeholder capacity building, branding and marketing of Ladakhi products, and transforming Ladakh into an organic region. Apeda will contribute to the branding and promotion of Ladakhi products, including sea buckthorn, which is rich in Vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, and other vital elements.
During the conversations with Ladakh officials, Apeda highlighted the importance of using little or no pesticides in farming and recommended using traceability mechanisms to aid in the branding of Ladakhi products. According to the commerce ministry, this cooperation aims to ensure that Ladakh reaches its goal of being an organic region by 2025.
To support the Mission Organic Development Initiative, officials have established an organic study group to produce “organic” certification papers and phase out the certification system. DIHAR’s scientific interventions with the Ladakh government have enabled farmers to cultivate leafy crops at -25 degrees.
“Apeda will remain to work with authorities from the agriculture and horticulture businesses of Leh and Ladakh regions, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, DIHAR, and entrepreneurs for the extensive improvement of agriculture in Ladakh,” according to the commerce bureau.