Northeast India Witnesses Over 85% Agri Product Export Growth in Last 6 Years

Agriculture is quickly becoming highly profitable in the Northeast, thanks to the central government's ongoing efforts to increase farm produce exports from the region to other parts of the country and the world.

"Export increased from $2.52 million in 2016–17 to $17.2 million in 2021–22. The Middle East, the UK, Europe, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Bhutan have been the main export markets, it continued. The export of agricultural products from the northeastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Meghalaya has increased significantly.

By inviting importers from nearby nations, the Middle East, far-east nations, European countries, Australia, etc., the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been organizing field visits of importers to give them first-hand information on the quality cultivation practices used by farmers to provide potential market links. All eight of the states in the region participated in the field visits.

"APEDA has also planned to undertake several other projects," the ministry stated. "These projects include organizing skill development and training in food processing, value addition on horticultural produce, etc., and building the capacity of 80 budding entrepreneurs and exporters from the region, the Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), and the state govt officials. APEDA has offered its assistance in branding and marketing northeastern products, including processed foods, kiwi wine, Joha Rice Pulao, Black Rice Kheer, etc.

APEDA organized skill-development programmes for manufacturers, exporters, and entrepreneurs to use the local produce for value addition and export as part of capacity building. It stated that five-day training programmes are being held in various Northeastern states in collaboration with the Central Food Technology Research Institute, Mysore (CFTRI), and Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT).

APEDA has encouraged states to take advantage of the export potential of farm products through its Agricultural Export Policy. It aims to develop a marketplace where buyers can buy goods directly from producers and processors.