The indigenous variety of dates from Kutch, known as Kachchhi Desi Kharek, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the GI Registry. This recognition is expected to enhance the branding of Kutchi dates and bring significant benefits to the numerous farmers cultivating dates in the arid and semi-arid region. Kutch currently contributes to 85% of India's total date production. The Unidates Farmer Producer Company Limited, a farmer producer organization in Bhuj, applied for the GI tag in June 2021 with support from the Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU). The GI tag will provide a distinct identity to Kutch dates, facilitating premium pricing and boosting exports. Farmers interested in leveraging the GI tag must become members of the FPO, allowing them to use the official logo. Kutch dates are known for their unique taste, influenced by the local environment characterized by partial humidity, partial dry conditions, and the coastal belt. The cultivation of Kutch dates spans about 19,000 hectares, with an annual production of approximately 1.8 lakh tonnes from 20 lakh trees. The Kutch date season typically commences on June 15 each year, and the trees are known for their tolerance to salinity and adaptability to extreme drought and heat conditions.

 

In Kutch, dates are cultivated in about 19,000 hectares and the yearly production is around 1.8 lakh tonne from 20 lakh trees. The date season starts from June 15 every year.

RAJKOT: The indigenous variety of dates of Kutch (Kachchhi Desi Kharek) has received the GI tag (Geographical Indication) from the GI Registry. It will now boost the branding of Kutchi dates and benefit thousands of farmers who grow dates in this arid and semi-arid region. Kutch produces 85% of total dates of India.

 

Unidates Farmer Producer Company Limited, a farmer producer organisation (FPO) in Bhuj, had applied in June 2021 for the GI tag with the help of Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU) that runs the Dates Palm Research Station at Mundra in Kutch.

 

SDAU director of research C M Muralidharan said, 'In all, 17 products receiving the GI tag on Monday and our dates are one of them. The 500-year-old variety finally received the GI tag. This tag will give a special identity to the dates of Kutch — the way Darjeeling is famous for its tea, Kutch will be famous for its date. It will allow the farmers to charge premium rates and will boost export.'

 

Farmers who want to take benefit of the GI tag have to become members of this FPO by by applying to it. A committee will examine the fruits grown by them on a particular farmland and allow the membership. A member- farmer can then legally use the logo of the GI tag.

Assistant research scientist Kapil Sharma at the Dates Palm Research Station said, 'A majority of farmers grow dates in Kutch using seeds and because of that, there is a diversity in the fruits. Dates are cultivated in other parts of Gujarat but the taste of

Kutch dates is unique because of the local the environment — partial humidity, partial dry condition and the coastal belt.'

In Kutch, dates are cultivated in about 19,000 hectares and the yearly production is around 1.8 lakh tonne from 20 lakh trees. The date season starts from June 15 every year.

About 80% production in Kutch is of Desi Kharek and the rest is of Barhi. Kutch dates are grown in two colours — yellow and red. The trees are highly tolerant to salinity and can adapt to extreme drought and heat conditions.

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Sankashti Chaturthi 2024 Date, Time and Significance

Sankashti Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It occurs every month on the fourth day or Chaturthi Tithi during the Krishna Paksha. In Maharashtra, people observe fast and offer prayers to seek blessings for their family's well-being. The puja rituals include taking a holy bath, cleaning the house and puja room, offering flowers and Boondi Laddoo, reciting Sankasthi Katha, and chanting Aarti. The fast is broken in the evening with Sattvik food.

The One District One Product (ODOP) programme under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry has successfully enlisted over 50 aggregators pursuing the goal of uniting organisations dedicated to promoting ‘Brand India’. The 50th aggregator being Ayurvedic wellness company, Forest Essentials, presenting beauty and wellness ODOP identified value-added products to a global stage.

 

This diverse community of ODOP aggregators spans across 25+ States and Union Territories, encompassing over 160 districts in its representation. This initiative aims to enlighten consumers about the origin of the ingredients in the products they use, establishing a distinct identity and fostering awareness.

 

From honouring the women Pashmina weavers in Leh, Ladakh, and the skilled bamboo artisans in West Tripura, to embracing the Ajrakh clusters of Kutch, Gujarat, and the dedicated coffee planters in Wayanad, Kerala—this collective of ODOP aggregators is a celebration of true diversity. The focus is on enhancing efficacy and providing an immersive experience, ultimately inviting the world to authentically ‘Experience India’.

 

As a step of encouragement, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi also appreciated the efforts of ODOP tagged aggregator - Looms of Ladakh, in the 107th episode of Mann ki Baat.

 

By employing inventive and eco-friendly packaging strategies, and integrating compelling storytelling elements, these aggregators highlight product promotions. By introducing story cards with each product, outlining the artisans’ journey and the product’s significance, they infuse a personalised touch into every purchase. Such creative approaches not only enrich the customer experience but also contribute to a comprehensive narrative of the product and the artisans’ remarkable journey. These aggregators have seized the opportunity to showcase artisanal products at prestigious events such as the World Investment Conference, Atma Nirbhar Bharat Utsav, World Economic Forum, and more, earning commendation from esteemed dignitaries at the highest levels.

 

Additionally, the team has forged collaborations with government entities like Garvi Gurjari of Gujarat, TRIFED, and others, all working towards a shared vision. The team’s vision is to bring more aggregators under this campaign to enhance product accessibility and visibility.

 

ODOP is aimed at manifesting the vision of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to foster balanced regional development across all districts of the country. The idea is to select, brand, and promote one product from each district of the country. In pursuance of the Prime Minister’s clarion call on Atma Nirbhar Bharat, several initiatives are being undertaken by DPIIT, Government of India. Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles Shri Piyush Goyal has requested every organisation to work in collaboration with the programme. This will help promote the indigenous products from each district of the nation.

India will raise a number of issues with the US such as inking social security pact, and greater market access for mangoes in America during the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meet here on Friday, an official said.

The official said India will also raise issues pertaining to delay in visa; increasing exports of table grapes, pharma goods, and marine products like wild caught fish and shrimp; reinstating the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status to India; and export control regulations for high-tech products and technologies.

 

The 14th TPF meet will be co-chaired by US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal here.

Social security, or totalisation agreement, is a long-pending demand of the country, as it will provide social security to Indian professionals in America. This would eliminate dual social security deduction, both in the home country and in the nation where an employee works.

Under this, an expatriate in either country need not contribute to the social security scheme of the host country.

It will benefit a number of Indians, particularly from the IT sector, who are working in America and paying social security but are unable to get any benefit out of it.

The official added that for the proposed agreement, the US had sought data from India about different social security schemes being implemented here and India has provided all the data from different ministries, including labour.

India has given them data about different schemes on social security like Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), New Pension Scheme (NPS), and Employees' State Insurance Corporation.

India is also seeking fast-tracking American health regulator's USFDA inspections, or audit of domestic pharma firms.

United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approval is required to sell medicines in the US market. Before giving the approval, the USFDA authorities visit premises of manufacturing units for checking quality standards.

The official said during the meeting, the Indian side will raise the issue of fast-tracking USFDA inspections/audit of Indian pharma manufacturing units through digital or physical means to reach pre-pandemic level.

 

America is India's top export market for pharma products with current exports (April-February 2023) of USD 6.79 billion, which is almost 30 per cent of the country's global exports.

Following the outbreak of the pandemic, USFDA had stopped conducting inspections and audits in India for a long period, and resumed later, resulting in huge backlog, impacting product and unit approvals/renewal.

According to a marine exporter, the US feels that catching shrimps in the ocean impacts other species in the ocean and Indian fishermen has developed those fine quality nets which do not harm other species like turtles.

India wants the US authorities to expedite the process of inspecting those nets and allow exports of those fish and shrimps, the official said, adding that due to this India's marine exports to America are getting impacted.

The last TPF meeting was held in Washington in January 2023.

TPF is a platform to resolve trade and investment issues between the two countries. It has five focus groups -- agriculture, investment, innovation, and creativity (intellectual property rights), services, and tariff and non-tariff barriers.

The US is the largest trading partner of India. America accounts for about 20 per cent of India's total exports in goods and is a key market for services sectors like IT.

The bilateral trade between the countries has increased to USD 129.4 billion in 2022-23 from USD 120 billion in 2021-22. India received USD 6 billion in foreign direct investment from the US in 2022-23.

During the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, the India-UAE Business Summit took place on Wednesday, aiming to enhance and solidify the bilateral relations between the two nations.

 

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal said that India and UAE aspire to expand their bilateral trade to US$ 100 Billion. While addressing at the ‘UAE India Business Summit’ held at the 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today, the Minister underscored the multifaceted nature of the India-UAE partnership, encompassing collaborations in space exploration, security, education, and climate action. 

 

Shri Goyal said that both the countries are looking for newer propositions from industry and business to further enhance their partnership. He said bilateral trade has increased under the India UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). He also highlighted key collaborations such as the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor and initiatives to promote Rupay and facilitate direct trade between rupee and dirham.

 

Delighted at the prospect of further strengthening bilateral relations, the Minister emphasized the significance of the UAE India Business Summit, emphasizing that it serves as a platform to unlock the vast potential that the UAE-India partnership offers. He praised the exceptional leadership of the President of UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in elevating the relationship between the two countries.

 

The Minister emphasized the boundless possibilities in exploring new partnerships, identifying opportunities, and expanding cooperation in various sectors. He envisioned the India-UAE partnership as a defining alliance of the 21st century, rooted in shared history and aspirations for mutual progress.

 

Shri Goyal expressed his gratitude to the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, UAE, H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi; and Chairman and CEO of DP World Group, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem for their invaluable contributions to fostering the enduring friendship between India and the UAE.

 

Shri Goyal acknowledged their pivotal roles in bolstering the UAE-India business relationship across various sectors, notably mentioning the plan to establish a Bharat Park in the Jebel Ali Free Zone under Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem's guidance. He expressed confidence that this initiative would open myriad opportunities for international trade between the two nations and beyond, significantly elevating India's global visibility.

 

The Minister also highlighted the efforts of Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, Yousuf Ali Abdulqader, in fortifying bilateral ties, mentioning the significant investments being made in India's growth story, such as the establishment of a shopping mall in Kashmir.

 

Drawing attention to the burgeoning defense, cultural, and economic relations between the nations, Shri Goyal lauded the UAE's political stability, business-friendly policies, and infrastructural advancements as conducive factors for mutual growth and prosperity.

 

Shri Piyush Goyal lauded Dr. Thani's leadership in chairing the WTO Ministerial Conference 13 to be held in Abu Dhabi in February and assured full support from India in ensuring its success.

 

Citing India's demographic advantage and its young, aspirational population, the Minister invited investors to participate in India's growth story, underscoring the nation's potential to offer substantial returns and contribute to the dreams and aspirations of its 1.4 billion people.

 

Concluding on a note of unwavering optimism and shared vision for the future, the Minister reiterated the commitment of India and the UAE to forge an enduring partnership that will have a lasting impact on both nations.

Despite being geographically distant from Europe, India is making significant advancements in the development of efficient sea routes to export fresh fruits, especially bananas, to Europe. The country has set an ambitious goal of reaching one billion dollars in exports, demonstrating the importance of strategic planning and infrastructure development in optimizing agricultural exports.

 

India's proactive investment in the development of sea routes and logistics to enhance its fresh produce exports is a reflection of its commitment to harness its agricultural potential. The country has implemented strict quality control measures to ensure that its bananas meet international standards, addressing any concerns about the freshness and quality of the exported produce.

 

Collaborations between government agencies, agricultural bodies, and private enterprises are crucial in streamlining the export process. India's efforts in building robust infrastructure, including cold storage facilities and modernized ports, have significantly contributed to maintaining the freshness of perishable goods during transit. Investments in technology and logistics have enabled India to establish itself as a reliable supplier of high-quality fresh produce to European markets.

 

The goal of exporting one billion dollars' worth of bananas to Europe showcases India's commitment to enhancing its agricultural exports, contributing to the country's economic growth.

 

'The next round of talks for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman will start from January 16 and the negotiations for the pact are progressing well,' a senior official said on January 9.

 

'The talks on the text of most of the chapters have been concluded by both sides for the pact,' officially dubbed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

 

"The negotiations are progressing well. Two rounds of in-person negotiations and many inter-sessional meetings have already been held. Good progress has been made on all the chapters covered under the CEPA," the official said.

 

On certain media reports that the talks may get delayed, the official said that any talk of hindrances or bottlenecks is "speculative and presumptuous" as the negotiating process is currently under way.

 

'Currently, both sides are working towards conclusion of the negotiations with an objective of delivering a mutually beneficial agreement contributing to the welfare and development of the people of the two countries,' the official said.

 

For India, Oman is the third largest export destination among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The bilateral trade was $12.39 billion in 2022-23 as against $5 billion in 2018-19. India's exports have increased from $2.25 billion in 2018-19 to $4.48 billion in 2022-23.

 

According to a report of think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Institute), Indian goods worth $3.7 billion such as gasoline, iron and steel, electronics, and machinery will get a significant boost in Oman, once both sides reach a comprehensive free trade agreement.

 

India's imports from Oman stood at about $8 billion in 2022-23. Key products included petroleum products ($4.6 billion), urea ($1.2 billion); propylene and ethylene polymers ($383 million).

 

Currently, more than 80% of India's goods enter Oman at an average of 5% import duties, the GTRI report has said, adding Oman's import duty ranges from 0 to 100% along with the existence of specific duties.

 

In a CEPA, two countries could significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them besides easing norms for promoting trade in services and increasing investments.

 

The report has said that Oman's higher per capita income ($25,060) compared to India's ($2,370) could mean a demand for more diversified and possibly higher-value goods and services in Oman, which India could aim to supply.

 

The agreement also holds considerable strategic importance for India. It serves as a gateway for India to strengthen its footprint in Middle Eastern economies. This partnership with Oman can act as a catalyst, enhancing India's geopolitical presence and fostering deeper ties with other Middle Eastern countries.

 

Commenting on the proposed pact, international trade expert and Hi-Tech Gears Chairman Deep Kapuria said this agreement would also help in boosting trade ties of India with the Middle East countries, which is a growing market for domestic products.

 

'The agreement holds importance in view of India’s $1 trillion exports target of merchandise products by 2030,' Mr. Kapuria said.

Karnataka has garnered revenues to the tune of Rs 170 crore from the millets and organics international fair. The three-day expo of nutra-cereals highlighted the need for traditional super foods to nourish future generations.

 

The objective of the event was to not only make sure that the millets and organic produce reaches consumers, but to also help provide remunerative markets to farmers.

 

The revenues generated thus include B2B transactions of Rs 150 crore and transactions in stalls amounting to Rs 20 crore, stated Karnataka Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy.

 

The B2B business pacts related to transaction of 17,192 metric tonne of produce. In all, the trade fair witnessed 213 B2B meetings and signing of 41 Letters of Intents/MoUs.

 

The business transactions were concerned to all varieties of millets spanning from foxtail millet, little millet, Indian barnyard millet, Kodo millet, Brown-top millet and proso millet. It also covered Byadagi chillies, spices, organic jaggery, turmeric powder and organic vegetables. The fair witnessed a huge demand for millets' value-added products like cookies, malts, millets powder, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat items.

 

There were at least 2 lakh visitors over the three days. It also saw the participation of delegates from various States besides other countries including Australia, the UAE, Kenya and Kuwait.

 

In all, the fair had 310 stalls, including 100 under the Karnataka pavilion that were dedicated to farmers, research institutes and FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations). It also saw the participation of 35 start-ups engaged in millets and organics business.

 

At the inauguration, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that millets would be introduced in Indira Canteens, mid-day meals in schools, anganwadis, and public distribution system. Soon, a meeting will be convened of officials from the Departments of Food, Agriculture, Education, RDPR (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department), and Municipalities to discuss the modalities for introduction of millets.

 

Addressing the valedictory function of the fair, Cheluvarayaswamy said 51 subject experts had delivered lectures at the fair.

 

Karnataka’s deputy chief Minister D K Shivakumar appreciated and hoped that millets and organic cultivation methods would provide a solution to the country’s water woes and issues with soil fertility.

 

Referring to the popularity of millets and organics in Karnataka and its prime position in the sector, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda observed that Karnataka had also emerged as capital of millets and organics in addition to being a IT and BT hub.

State-owned Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) plans to build an export oriented agricultural produce processing and storage facility with private funds at Sheva, Raigad in Maharashtra as it aims to enhance the shelf life and quality of export agricultural produce and increase the quantum of India's agricultural exports.

 

The facility seeks to extend the shelf life of agricultural produce and satisfy the sanitary and phytosanitary criteria set by destination nations and help minimize losses resulting from rejection by importing countries.

 

The facility will be crucial in helping India create the procedures, quality criteria, and packaging requirements necessary to satisfy the highest international standards for agricultural products.

 

'This is a first of its kind facility in an Indian port and is also JNPA’s business with social commitment, especially to our farmers,' Unmesh Wagh, Chairman in Charge and Deputy Chairman of J N Port Authority and the driving force behind the project, told ET Infra.

 

'It is a win-win situation because they can aggregate the produce at one place which is a state-of-the-art facility, then either export or use the port’s coastal berth to distribute all over India,' Wagh said.

 

'In this way, our agricultural produce waste will be reduced and income will be enhanced. It can act as a model for other ports to follow,' Wagh added.

 

The export oriented agricultural produce processing and storage facility, estimated to cost Rs284.19 crores, is planned on a 27-acre land parcel accessible via the Funde - Nhava Sheva Road.

 

The project will be awarded to a private firm for a concessionaire period of 30 years, including construction period of 1.5 years. It will be designed to handle 0.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) to 1.2 MMT of agricultural cargo over 30 years.

 

India ranks second in global agriculture production, but its share in global agricultural exports is only 2.4 percent, placing it eighth in the world (WTO’s Trade Statistical Review, 2022). In terms of domestic contributions, agricultural exports make up less than 2 percent of India's GDP, which is lower compared to other developing agrarian countries.

For instance, Brazil and Indonesia rank third and sixth, respectively, in global agricultural exports and contribute around 5 percent and 4.4 percent to their GDP’s. Argentina, another leading exporter, saw agricultural exports contribute to nearly 7 percent of its GDP in 2022, according to the World Bank.

 

Maharashtra accounts for about 16.58 percent of India's agricultural exports and is the top earner per ton of exported goods despite being the second-largest exporter after Gujarat.

 

While J N Port’s status as the country’s biggest state-owned container gateway and the second largest overall is well known, what is not well known is that the port located near Mumbai holds the pole position on handling agricultural cargo.

 

Currently, the annual flow of agricultural goods through J N Port is 5 million tonnes (MT) and is projected to increase by 3 percent compounded annual growth rate till 2028. Among the agricultural exports, horticulture, floriculture, and non-grain agricultural products comprise approximately half of this cargo.

 

In 2023, India exported 44 MMT and imported 25 MMT of agriculture products.

 

J N Port played a substantial role in agriculture product shipments, handling 7.3 MMT of exports and 3.1 MMT of imports.

 

The proposed agri facility seeks to elevate agricultural exports by offering storage, preservation, and quality control. The project will empower farmers and exporters, catalyse demand, and nurture rural growth. The benefits span higher product prices, increased employment, and a boost to the agricultural sector.

 

Despite several initiatives taken by the government to promote agricultural exports, India continues to face challenges in improving its share in the global agricultural market and diversifying its exports with higher value-added products.

 

By 2035, the Agriculture Export Policy finalised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, aims to increase agricultural exports to approximately $100 billion. To facilitate this expansion, the policy highlights the urgent need for the development of high-quality infrastructure at seaports and airports, which serve as the main exit points for imports and exports.

 

'It is anticipated that this facility will play a crucial role in adding value to agricultural products through the provision of storage, preservation, and quality control services. Additionally, it is expected to create significant employment opportunities. By offering adequate storage and preservation capabilities, the facility will enable farmers and exporters to maintain high quality and freshness of agricultural products, thus increasing their market appeal. Ultimately, the establishment of this facility at JNPA is poised to strengthen the agricultural export sector, fostering economic growth and development,' CRISIL Market Intelligence & Analytics (a unit of CRISIL Ltd) - Global AgriSystem Pvt Ltd (GAPL) wrote in the techno-economic feasibility study and detailed project report.

 

The laboratory is projected to lead to an increase in exports from the region, particularly among small traders. The affordable testing charges offered by the laboratory are expected to incentivize small traders to have their consignments tested, enabling them to comply with quality parameters and subsequently engage in exports.

 

Inefficient processing and multiple handling are considered as primary contributors to losses in both export and import of agricultural products.

 

The proposed facility aims to enhance processing efficiency, reduce multiple handling, and address infrastructure deficiencies, thereby curbing avoidable wastage in export and import.

 

'Once the produce is packed at the facility, it will go to the terminal just before the vessel arrives, enabling huge cost savings,' Wagh said.

 

The facility, according to Wagh, can also act as an extension of a big warehouse in Jebel Ali or a big value chain in Europe, store at a lesser cost and parcel as per requirement.

 

The proposed facility is projected to handle 8.5 lakh metric tons in the base year, with an estimated reduction of 5.6 percent in quantity, equivalent to 47,752 metric tons, and a 4.9 percent reduction in value, amounting to Rs 359 crores. These projections underscore the facility's potential to significantly enhance operational efficiency and yield substantial cost savings within the supply chain.

 

Implementation of the proposed facility is anticipated to reduce total losses by some 70 percent, resulting in a reduction of 33,309 metric tons (70 percent of 47,752 MT) and a 74 percent decrease in value, equivalent to Rs204 crores (74 percent of Rs359 crores) in the first year of operations. This underlines the substantial efficacy of the facility in mitigating losses and optimizing financial outcomes.

 

The project will help J N Port monetize land and attract additional cargo movement through the port by offering facilities for shelf-life enhancement, encompassing cargo and container storage and handling, customs clearance, bulk agricultural cargo handling and storage, transshipment/cross-loading, cold storage services, reefer handling, and monitoring, as well as laboratory testing for compliance and quality assurance.

 

The private developer will have to pay royalty to J N Port Authority comprising a fixed component for the land parcel supplemented by a premium per sq meter for the entire 30-year concession with annual escalation of 2 percent. This will safeguard J N Port Authority’s financial interests and is not sensitive to trade volume.

 

The private operator will not be required to pay royalty to the port authority for the initial three years of the project, which includes 1.5 years of construction phase.

 

The operator of the facility will have the freedom to set market-driven rates, fostering flexibility and competitiveness.

Jammu and Kashmir, renowned for its rich culinary heritage, proudly exhibited its diverse food, agriculture and horticulture products at the prestigious Indus Food 2024.

 

The event, held from January 8 to 10, witnessed J&K’s vibrant participation, capturing the essence of the agricultural prowess.

 

Indus Food 2024, Southeast Asia’s largest food and beverage export-focused exhibition, served as a vital platform for international collaboration within India’s dynamic food industry. The event, organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India in association with the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, attracted over 1200 exhibitors and 7500 global buyers.

 

Jammu & Kashmir, recently honoured with the Gold (Winner) in National ODOP awards, claimed the spotlight at the esteemed Indus Food 2024. Eighteen exhibitors from the region witnessed a remarkable showcase of products and impactful B2B meetings with both international and domestic buyers. These interactions resulted in 780+ promising leads and on-spot orders worth 45 Lakhs.

 

The 7th Edition of Indus Food was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal. He praised India’s diverse food industry, emphasizing its potential to captivate global markets. He commended the sector’s exponential growth, citing a remarkable 150% increase in processed food exports over the past nine years. He underscored India’s agricultural export potential, currently standing at approximately US$ 53 Billion, with a projected target of US$ 100 Billion by 2030.

 

He quoted Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and said that the time has come for a fusion of technology and taste, emphasizing a new era in the food processing sector. He stressed the importance of large-scale food processing, effective product branding, and an export-oriented approach to benefit farmers, boost employment, and elevate the nation’s economic gains.

 

The platform not only provided exposure and experience but also facilitated substantial business opportunities for entrepreneurs from Jammu and Kashmir. The region’s exceptional products and culinary traditions stood out, contributing to the success of Indus Food 2024 as a significant avenue for promoting India’s diverse food industry on the global stage.

 

The triumph at Indus Food 2024 reinforces Jammu & Kashmir’s position as a powerhouse of culinary excellence and a vital contributor to India’s diverse food industry on the global stage. The event served as a testament to the region’s commitment towards promoting its unique offerings and fostering meaningful connections within the global food and beverage community.