India’s commerce ministry has helped agricultural products from the Northeast, including GI-tagged Tezpur Litchi, Khasi Mandarin and Joha Rice, reach more than 15 international destinations over the past four financial years.
The commerce ministry has facilitated exports of unique agricultural products from India’s Northeast to more than 15 international markets during the last four financial years, helping farmers, producers and exporters from the region gain access to overseas buyers.
The export push covers a range of Geographical Indication-tagged and other distinctive agricultural products, including Tezpur Litchi, Khasi Mandarin, Joha Rice, Assam Lemon, Karbi Anglong Ginger and Dalle Khursani.
Other products exported from the region include organic black and green tea, natural honey, ginger, pineapple, anthurium flowers and various fresh fruits and vegetables.
According to an official, these products have reached international destinations including the US, the UK, Italy, Vietnam, Singapore, the UAE, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Solomon Islands, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The initiative is aimed at expanding the international presence of agricultural products from the Northeast while providing farmers and exporters with opportunities beyond the domestic market. Improved export access is particularly significant for speciality and GI-tagged products that derive value from their geographical origin, distinctive characteristics and regional identity.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which functions under the commerce ministry, has also focused on building export capabilities across the region.
During the four-year period, APEDA organised 260 capacity-building programmes across the Northeast, benefiting 2,605 stakeholders. Such programmes are intended to help participants understand export requirements and improve their ability to supply products to international markets.
Infrastructure development has formed another part of the export strategy. APEDA has facilitated the establishment of packhouses, laboratories, Centres of Excellence and Trade Facilitation Centres to strengthen the region’s agricultural export ecosystem.
Support has also extended to specialised facilities including irradiation infrastructure, Vapour Heat Treatment facilities and Centres for Perishable Cargo at airports. Such infrastructure is particularly important for fresh and perishable agricultural products that require appropriate treatment, handling and storage before being transported to overseas markets.
The expansion into multiple international destinations highlights efforts to integrate the Northeast’s specialised agricultural produce more closely with global markets while developing the infrastructure and export capabilities required to support future shipments.
