APEDA Facilitates ‘Aijung’, ‘Joha’ Rice Export to Dubai

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export of Assamese rice varieties with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Dubai in an effort to give farmers growing high-value crops access to the market.

On Wednesday, a 10 metric tonne shipment of "joha" and "aijung" was sent from Chennai port, providing important access to Dubai markets for farmers in lower Assam. Lower Assam's farmers in the Nalbari and Kamrup districts provided the "joha" rice shipment, while Kamrup district provided the "aijung" variety.

In the presence of representatives from the state government and the shipping company, ABM Agri Industry and Research Pvt, APEDA Chairman M Angamuthu flagged off the export shipment. Almost all agricultural and horticultural crops can be grown in Assam and the other NE region states due to the favourable climate and soil conditions.

There may be opportunities to increase exports from the region because the majority of NE states share borders with countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China, according to Angamuthu.

The premium variety "Joha" carries a GI tag from Assam. Though it differs from other aromatic rice varieties like "Basmati" in terms of biochemical and other quality characteristics, the "Joha" variety is renowned for its flavour, aroma, and grain characteristics. It has a huge demand abroad, according to Apeda officials.

PM Narendra Modi was alerted to APEDA’s promotion of GI exports from the NE, which included "bhoot jolokia" (Naga king chilli) and Assam lemon, after he mentioned it in his "Maan Ki Baat" programme.

Today, Assam lemon is frequently exported to the Middle East and the UK. Over 50 MT of Assam lemon have already been exported. Apeda has also exported several consignments of litchi and pumpkin from Assam. According to government statistics, the export of agricultural products has increased 85.34% in the last six years in the NE.