CSIR-NIScPR successfully concludes Two-Week Skill Training Programme on Library Automation (See 'Corp Brief') India, Saudi Arabia discuss bilateral Electrical Interconnection Initiative (See 'Corp Brief') DRI seizes 13 kg foreign-origin gold worth around Rs. 19.41 crore (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Statutory twin conditions under Section 45 of the Act can override the fundamental constitutional safeguards of personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Saturation Campaign of Financial Inclusion to cover 2.7 Lakh Gram Panchayats and ULBs (See 'Corp Brief') DRI seizes 7 kg amphetamine and 3kg cocaine (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Mere reason that some facts may have already been into existence but continue to exist would not mean that the application u/s 9 becomes retrospective: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Uttarakhand becomes first State to export Trout to Nepal (See 'Corp Brief') BIS organises Interactive Sessions to promote AYUSH with Quality Standards (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - In absence of money trail connecting attached properties with proceeds of crime, subject properties cannot be attached merely as properties of equivalent value: Tribunal (See 'Legal Desk') Clarification on Legislative Developments concerning Govt's stake in IDBI (See 'Corp Brief') SEBI - The fact that criminal proceedings were subsequently initiated against appellants does not confer sanction under Section 15T of the SEBI Act to reopen a penalty order which attained finality: SAT (See 'Legal Desk') Efforts underway to develop one lakh young leaders: Mandaviya (See 'Corp Brief') IITM hosts consultation on Climate Science into Services for India Forum (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Continued use of mark after express acknowledgment of proprietor's rights and undertaking to cease such use is strong indicator of dishonest intention and constitutes infringement: HC (See 'Legal Desk') NHAI successfully defends Arbitration Case in Chittorgarh–Udaipur NH Project (See 'Corp Brief') DFS organises workshop on Reservation Policy for PSBs & Public Sector Insurance Companies (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Successful Resolution Applicant is entitled to pursue dues of Corporate Debtor against its debtors in arbitration even after conclusion of CIRP: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Ministry of Textiles organizes Workshops on Cyber Security & E-Waste Management Awareness (See 'Corp Brief') 'Khadi Mahotsav-2026' inaugurated in Mumbai (See 'Corp Brief') BHASHINI and IISc Bangaluru: Text-to-Speech Model for Sourashtra Language (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Express forfeiture clause in e-auction notice binds bidder despite absence of express forfeiture stipulation in Schedule I of Liquidation Process Regulations, 2016: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Govt releases FAQs on strategic restructuring of IDBI Bank Ltd (See 'Corp Brief') CCI approves acquisition of majority stake in Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri by GRT Jewellers (See 'Corp Brief') CCI okays acquisition of equity in Kids Clinic India by NuageLux BidCo S.à r.l (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Licence Agreement governing patent licences, JVA creating Indian joint venture, and MoU governing liaison services, operate in distinct fields and are not subservient to Licence Agreement: SC LB (See 'Legal Desk') CCI approves acquisition of shares in FarMart Service by Impact Fund Denmark (See 'Corp Brief') Govt approves Strategic Restructuring of IDBI Bank (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Moratorium u/s 14 of the IBC does not apply to a surety in a contract of guarantee to the Corporate Debtor: NCLT (See 'Legal Desk') Joshi highlights Role of Standards in India's Clean Energy Transition (See 'Corp Brief') An unsuccessful 'success fee' litigation (See CORP EINSICHT)

With APEDA aid, Purvanchal region emerges as new hub

Published: Jan 07, 2022

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, JAN 07, 2022: WORKING in close collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has taken several initiatives in making landlocked Purvanchal region as a new destination of agri-export activities through development of Varanasi Agri – Export Hub (VAEH).

APEDA has identified potential districts of Uttar Pradesh to be covered under the VAEH. The Purvanchal division covers districts of Varanasi, Mirzapur, Azamgarh, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Chandauli and Sant Ravidas Nagar.

The Varanasi region, where there are negligible agri-exports used to take place because of lack of basic infrastructure, is now abuzz with activities which has given a boost to exports. After the intervention of APEDA, Varanasi region has recorded exemplary changes in the export scenario and registered many first-of-its-kind achievements in a very short span of time.

With the active intervention of APEDA, about 20,000 Metric Tonne (MT) of agri- produce have been exported from Purvanchal region in the last six months. Out of these shipments, about 5,000 MT fresh fruits and vegetables and 15,000 MT of cereals have been exported to Vietnam, Gulf nations, Nepal and Bangladesh by all modes of transportation.

Varanasi and nearby areas witnessed an export of around 12 MT, 22 MT and 45 MT in the months of October, November, December respectively in the year 2021. Also, around 125 MT have been exported from Varanasi and nearby areas.

As Varanasi is a territory based in the plains of river Ganges, it has rich nutritional composition of soil with ample amount of fertility which leads to production of good quality agri-produce. Varanasi region also has reputed institutions of central and international level such as Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

Currently, the Varanasi region has a number of exporters and exports of agricultural products is being undertaken through air route due to establishment of robust quarantine as well as custom clearance facilitation centre at Lal Bahadur Shastri International (LBSI) Airport. APEDA has organised more than 30 capacity building programmes in the entire Varanasi region followed by eight international buyer-seller meets, which has provided a platform to the exporters to market their food products in the global marketplace.

To monitor the product and production, a project of AI tech is also being considered for approval. APEDA is also planning to take member Farmer Producer Organization to different successful territories for unveiling the agri-supply chain and market linkage.

The government is also considering replicating the Varanasi model in the Gorakhpur region of Purvanchal as the geography, demography and few other parameters are common in both the places. The newly established international airport in Kushinagar may play a vital role in triggering the export. The DDU Gorakhpur University, Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau are the institutions actively working towards promotion of agri- activities in the region.

APEDA has also approved three projects for comprehensive grain and nutritional quality profiling of non-Basmati Rice, value added products from Rice and rice-based food systems. An APEDA-funded project for integrated IT solutions to enhance Agri Export in Varanasi Region is under process.

The export of the first trial shipment of 14 MT green chilly was facilitated by APEDA from Varanasi to Dubai's Jebel Ali Port in December 2019.

For the first time, from Varanasi 3 MT fresh vegetables was exported 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 Covid pandemic in 2020, after APEDA's intervention.

Meanwhile, Trisagar Farmer Producer Company Ltd, which is based in Sant Ravidas Nagar district, has started sending shipments on a daily basis to the international market after the intervention of APEDA. In another success story, Gazipur district-based Shivansh Krishak Producer Company Ltd with a base of 1,500 progressive farmers has managed to get a decent realisation for its commodities after exporting a good volume of agri-produce.

Similarly, Varanasi-based FPO Jaya Seed Farmer Producer Company Ltd, which grows mangoes in around 50 acres, is getting higher price as compared to average price of the market after the intervention of APEDA. Prior to the initiative taken by APEDA, the FPC used to sell mangoes at an average price of Rs 25/kg, but in recent season they have sold it at Rs 50/kg to a Netherland-based company named Super Plum having few outlets in Bangalore and Mumbai.

TIOL CORP SEARCH

TIOL GROUP WEBSITES