Bhubaneswar: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, organized a Workshop cum Capacity Building Programme to boost agricultural exports from the state.
The event took place at Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Hall, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, on Friday.
The programme featured over 10 stalls from Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), women agripreneurs, state government departments, and exporters from across Odisha.
A variety of GI-tagged and agricultural products from the state were displayed, including Koraput Kalajeera Rice, Nayagad Kanteimundi Brinjal, Ganjam Kewda Flower Products, Koraput Coffee, Kandhamal Haldi Powder, Kendrapada Rasabali, Salepur Rasagolla, Khajuri Gud, Dhenkanal Magaji Ladoo, and Mayurbhanja Kai Chutni.
In his keynote address, Chief Guest and Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, emphasized the state government’s efforts to enhance agricultural exports, particularly in organic products. He encouraged exporters to explore the wide range of products, including GI-tagged items, for promotion in the global market. He also lauded the collaboration between APEDA and the state government in advancing agricultural exports.
The event included three technical sessions designed to address key areas in boosting agricultural exports from Odisha. The first session focused on promoting organic exports under the revised National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), highlighting the importance of organic certification, value chain development, and market access. The second session explored strategies for enhancing rice exports by leveraging unique varieties, improving logistics, and overcoming export challenges. The third session delved into the opportunities for value addition and export promotion of agri-processed and GI-tagged products, stressing the need to strengthen logistics, cold chain infrastructure, and market linkages.
More than 400 stakeholders participated in the programme, including officials from the Odisha government, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, FPOs, FPCs, and progressive farmers.
On the sidelines of the event, APEDA, which serves as the Secretariat for the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), organized an interaction with over 30 organic grower groups and organic certification bodies operating in the state. The discussions focused on recent revisions to the NPOP (8th Edition), launched on January 9, 2025, and addressed any questions from growers regarding the new provisions.
Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi, Member of Parliament and Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing, highlighted the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative and the use of the Agri-Infra fund to support agricultural exports from Odisha. He further emphasized that India’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 is achievable through the development of a strong agricultural export ecosystem, which will drive economic growth, create employment, and generate foreign exchange earnings.
Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, in his welcome address, outlined an export-oriented strategy for agricultural products, with a particular focus on organic products. He stressed the untapped potential of Odisha in agricultural exports, particularly organic products, owing to the state’s diversity and substantial output. Dev assured that more such programmes and export conclaves would be organized in the future, as they are crucial for boosting agricultural exports. He also encouraged FPOs and FPCs to participate in national and international trade fairs to enhance market access and visibility.
The Workshop cum Capacity Building Programme, along with the technical sessions, brought together key policymakers and experts from the Union and state governments, industry, and academia, all with the common goal of creating a robust export ecosystem in Odisha.
