In a major step towards harnessing the export potential of agricultural and processed food products from north-eastern region, a shipment of 1.2 metric tonne (MT) of fresh jackfruit was exported from Tripura to London on Friday (21 May).

Jackfruits were sourced from the Tripura based Krishi Sanyoga Agro Producer Company Ltd. The consignment was packed at Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) assisted pack-house facility of Salt Range Supply Chain Solution Ltd and exported by Kiega EXIM Pvt Ltd.

This was the first APEDA assisted pack house for exports to European Union, which was approved in May 2021. APEDA regularly carries out promotional activities to bring the North- Eastern states on the export map of India.

Recently, the first consignment of ‘red rice’ was sent to the USA from Assam. Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer. The rice variety is referred to as ‘Bao-dhaan’, which is an integral part of Assamese food.

“APEDA undertakes market promotion activities for evolving structured marketing strategies for export of food products, market intelligence for taking informed decisions, international exposure, skill development, capacity building and high-quality packaging,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

Promoting products of north-eastern region is APEDA’s thrust area of work. APEDA continues to focus on the north eastern region both in terms of capacity building, quality upgradation, and infrastructure development.

Linking buyers to farmers, strengthening the entire supply chain of agricultural produce from the north-eastern region would bring in dividend.