APEDA and the Government of Odisha organises Capacity Building Programme to ‘Boost Agricultural Exports from Odisha’

Bhubaneswar:27/4/25:The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Government of Odisha organized a Workshop cum Capacity Building Programme to Boost Agri Products Exports from Odisha at Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Hall, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Bhubaneswar on the 25^th April 2025.

The event exhibited over 10 stalls represented by Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO)/ Farmer Producer Companies, women agripreneurs, departments of the Government of Odisha, and exporters from all across Odisha. Several GI Tagged and Agri-Products from the state such as 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 were displayed at the University.

Chief Guest and Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Government of Odisha, Shri Kanak Bardhan Singh Deo, in his keynote address, highlighted the initiatives of the State Govt. for increasing agricultural exports, particularly of Organic products, from the State. He encouraged exporters to explore the array of products, including GI products from the state for promotion in the global marketplace. He appreciated the active collaboration of APEDA with the State Govt. towards increasing Agricultural exports from the State.

The event featured three technical sessions focusing on key areas for boosting Odisha’s agricultural exports. The first session addressed the promotion of organic exports under the revised National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), emphasizing organic certification, value chain development, and market access. The second session discussed strategies to enhance rice exports from Odisha by leveraging unique varieties, improving logistics, and tackling export challenges. The third session explored opportunities for value addition and export promotion of agri-processed and GI-tagged products, with a focus on strengthening logistics, cold chain infrastructure, and market linkages.

The program witnessed the participation of more than 400 stakeholders including the officials from State Government department, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, FPO’s, FPC’s, and progressive farmers.

On the Sidelines of the event, APEDA being the Secretariat for the National Programme for Organic Production(NPOP) organised a stakeholder interaction with more than 30 Organic grower groups of the State and Organic Certification bodies operating in the State of Odisha. The discussions centered on the revisions in the NPOP (8^th Edition), which was recently launched on 9^th January 2025, and clearing doubts and queries of the growers with respect to the new provisions.

Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi, Member of Parliament and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee-Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing in his address emphasized ODOP, the use of Agri-Infra fund to support agri exports from the state of Odisha. He further emphasized that the dream of Vikshit Bharat by 2047 is possible by developing the overall agriculture export ecosystem which will help to gain competitive advantage, drive economic growth, create better jobs, and generate foreign exchange earnings.

Chairman of APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev in his welcome address highlighted the export-oriented strategy for agricultural products with special emphasis on organic products. He emphasized the untapped potential of the State in terms of agriculture exports, particularly in Organic products, owing to the huge diversity and quantum of output. He assured that more such programs and export Conclaves will be conducted in future which are highly important paradigms for boosting agricultural exports. He encouraged the FPO’s and FPC’s from the state for participate in key national and international Trade Fairs for market access, promotion, and outreach.

The Workshop cum Capacity Building Programme followed by the Technical Sessions brought together key policymakers and experts from the Union and State governments, Industry, and Academia aiming to build a robust export ecosystem in the state in the times to come.