Organic is more than a label or certification: it stands for quality and conviction – for the responsible use of nature’s resources. India is bestowed with lots of potential to produce varieties of organic products due to its diverse agro climatic regions.
The 11th edition of BIOFACH INDIA, the only organic platform in India to connect and network with your target audience is scheduled to be held from 7 – 9 November, 2019 at India Expo Centre, IEML, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR.
Biofach India 2019, the largest event of organic agriculture and organic food sector of India having the presence of entire organic agriculture and food fraternity from across the country is being organized jointly by the Nurnberg Messe India and Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Mr Paban K Borthakur, Chairman of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said, “More than 6000 delegates comprising of Exporters, processors, retail chain industry, certification bodies and producers from India and abroad will be participating in the Biofach 2019, the trade Fair-cum-Exhibition to discuss and have first hand feel of the Indian organic products including tea, spices, honey, basmati rice, coffee, cereals, dry fruits, vegetables, processed foods and medicinal plant”.
He said “India exported organic products worth Rs. 5151 Crore (over US $ 757 million) in 2018-19, from Rs 3453 Crore in 2017-18 (US$ 515 million ) registering an increase of about 49%.
"The major demands under the organic product category are for flax seeds, sesame and soybean; pulses such as arhar (red gram), chana (pigeon pea); and rice, along with tea and medicinal plants. USA and European Union member-countries were the biggest buyers of organic products but now there is a growing demand from Canada, Taiwan & South Korea in recent years. Germany is one of the biggest importers of Indian organic products", said Borthakur.
He added that “The demand for organic Agri products is on constant increase world wide as Organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As on 31st March 2019, total area under organic certification process (registered under National Programme for Organic Production) was 3.56 million Hectare. This includes 1.94 million ha cultivable area and another 1.49 million Hectare for wild harvest collection. Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered largest area under organic certification followed by Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. During 2016, Sikkim had achieved a remarkable distinction of converting its entire cultivable land (more than 76000 ha) under organic certification”.
“India produced around 2.67 million MT (2018-19) of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products namely Oil Seeds, Sugar cane, Cereals & Millets, Cotton, Pulses, Medicinal Plants, Tea, Fruits, Spices, Dry Fruits, Vegetables, Coffee etc. The production is not limited to the edible sector but also produces organic cotton fiber and functional food products”, he said.
Borthakur said, “Among different states Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. In terms of commodities Oil seeds are the single largest category followed by Sugar crops, Cereals and Millets, Fiber crops, Pulses, Medicinal, Herbal and Aromatic plants and Spices and Condiments. The total volume of export during 2018-19 was 6.14 lakh MT. The organic food export realization was around INR 5151 crore (757.49 million USD). Organic products are exported to USA, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan”.
To further boost demand of Organic agri products in India and abroad Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce, Government of India will be showcasing India’s strength as major hub for organic food products, ingredients, commodities and processed food at the Three day Biofach India 2019.
“The major highlight of the Biofach 2019 will be setting up of an Organic Theme Pavilion by APEDA having direct display of items and to provide direct business opportunity to India organic food product producers with visiting international buyers through B2B and B2S meets. APEDA is inviting and sponsoring more than 75 buyers from important importing countries for direct market linkages of producers with international trade” said Borthakur.
He told “Entire organic agriculture fraternity comprising of organic products exporters, retailers, traders, processors, ICS management bodies, certification bodies and certified organic farmer groups will be present at the event showcasing wide variety of organic products being produced under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) under APEDA”.
