A Long Time Coming But Finally: How Eastern UP Is Playing Catch Up

The eastern end of Uttar Pradesh, also known as Purvanchal, has had a rich historic past. Malla, where Buddha breathed his last, or Kashi, are seeped in cultural heritage.

This region has, however, been economically backward since ages. It fares poorly in the Human Development Index (HDI) as well. There have been thrusts around expanding the industrial base of this region in the past through initiatives like GIDA (Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority), focusing on small textile industries in Tanda (Ambedkar Nagar), sculpture industries in Varanasi, some industries in Sant Kabir Nagar, and the likes.

In spite of these initiatives, Purvanchal had lagged behind on the economic front for far too long. Being a landlocked region, the transportation of goods and logistics suffered tremendously as well.

Recently, the Commerce Ministry’s arm APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) has taken initiatives to promote exports from Purvanchal region.

Potential districts in UP have been identified to be covered under the Varanasi Agri-Export Hub (VAEH) to provide a fillip to exports from this region.

There used to be negligible agri-exports from Varanasi region earlier owing to lack of basic infrastructure. However, the situation is fast changing, and the region is abuzz with many first-of-its-kind achievements over a short span of time.

Three projects for comprehensive grain and nutritional quality profiling of non-Basmati rice, value-added products from rice, and rice-based food systems have been approved by APEDA.

An APEDA-funded project for integrated IT solutions to enhance agri-exports in Varanasi region is currently under process. Varanasi and adjoining areas witnessed exports of around 12 MT, 22 MT, and 45 MT in the respective months of October, November, and December of 2021.

Another 125 MT have been exported from surrounding areas. The first trial shipment of 14 MT of green chilli from Varanasi to Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port was facilitated by APEDA in December 2019.

In another first, Varanasi saw export of 3 MT fresh vegetables to London, 3 MT fresh mangoes to Dubai, 1.2 MT fresh mangoes to London, 520 MT regional rice to Qatar, and 80 MT regional rice to Australia during the pandemic of 2020 — all aided by APEDA.

Other districts and regions are also not to be left far behind.

Shivansh Krishak Producer Company Ltd, which is based in Gazipur district, exported good volumes and saw decent realization. Aided by APEDA, Trisagar Farmer Producer Company Ltd based in Sant Ravidas Nagar district has commenced sending international shipments daily.

Varanasi-based FPO Jaya Seed Farmer Producer Company Ltd that grows mangoes in around 50 acres has started selling mangoes at Rs 50/Kg to the Netherlands-based Super Plum in recent seasons, as against Rs 25/Kg that it used to make earlier.

These are small yet definitive steps in the right direction towards opening up of the Purvanchal economy.

APEDA is also considering taking member farmer producer organizations to other territories to explore the linkages between agri-supply chain and markets.

The Varanasi model is being looked to be replicated across the Gorakhpur region of Purvanchal. The demography and geography of these regions are quite similar.

The newly established international airport at Kushinagar may play a vital role in aiding the exports. Some institutes like the DDU Gorakhpur University and Indian Institute of Seed Science are also actively assisting in the promotion of agri-activities.

The other major initiative undertaken by the Government of India to further unleash the potential of Purvanchal region is opening up of the 343-Km-long Purvanchal Expressway.

Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on November 16, 2021, the expressway will directly link Eastern UP to Delhi as also the Bihar border. The Purvanchal region will also get direct connectivity to state capital Lucknow.

A drive from Ghazipur to Delhi will take just 10 hours. CM Yogi Adityanath rightfully termed the project as ‘the spine of the economy of eastern Uttar Pradesh’.

With a slew of such measures getting undertaken, both on the agri-development and infrastructure fronts, Purvanchal region will soon cease to be the underdeveloped area it used to be.

Multiple institutions like APEDA and others are working on a war footing to uplift the region. There are already tell-tale signs of the benefits trickling in.

It is a matter of time before Purvanchal rubs shoulders with the economically developed regions of UP and India at large.

(Debraj is a management and digital transformation consultant, and has worked with leading consulting organizations globally. His sectoral expertise is Retail (Apparel, Grocery) and Consumer Goods. He is an MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad, and he harbours an avid interest in policy-making)