District-Level Agricultural Laboratories to Boost Export Standards

The directorate of industries has offered to set up district level laboratories for the certification of agricultural yield to encourage exports from the districts.

According to a senior official from the directorate of industries, the laboratories will certify agricultural produce in accordance with the requirements set by the nations to whom the exports are destined.

The Officers said that the laboratories are suggested to assist farmers get the certification of most of the major agricultural yields of the districts based on the parameters of the presence of chemicals defined by the destination countries. There is no common test for yield as each country has a distinct set of guidelines set by their governments.

The task is part of the steps taken to augment the locals towards exporting their yield. The department has decided to maximize the exports at least twice the current volume.

Presently, have to look for laboratories to get certified, which is a monotonous procedure including time and money. The officer said that the laboratories to be set up in public private participation mode will certify the products and thus simplify the testing process. This will impact in quick turnaround time.”

Regarding the value of the laboratories, the officer said that was yet to be determined by adding that since the government will also be in control, the end user will have to pay reasonably for the services.

Such laboratories will also be benefitted from the exports of one district one product (ODOP) and the Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products.

Out of 72 ODOPs that have been identified 50 are agro-based products. Also, the industries department is tying up with the technical universities for the ODOP marketing projects which include designing, packaging, branding, and promotion of the products.

Already, Maharashtra has 34 GI products. And, 16 potential GI products have been identified too.