Odisha hosts workshop to boost agricultural exports with focus on GI & organic products
Bhubaneswar : To enhance agricultural exports from Odisha, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Odisha Government jointly organized a Workshop cum Capacity Building Programme on April 25 at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar.
The event highlighted a range of GI-tagged (Geographical Indication) and organic products, including Koraput Kalajeera Rice, Kandhamal Haldi, and Kendrapada Rasabali. Over 10 stalls were set up by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), women agripreneurs, and exporters to showcase the region’s agricultural potential.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Bardhan Singh Deo emphasized the importance of promoting Odisha’s GI products in global markets, underlining the value of these unique agricultural goods. Technical sessions at the event covered key topics such as organic certification under NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production), strategies for rice export, and methods for value addition of processed agricultural products.
The workshop saw the participation of over 400 stakeholders, including 30+ organic grower groups and certification bodies, all eager to enhance their understanding of export practices and certification processes.
In his address, APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev assured that the agency would continue to support Odisha’s agri-export ecosystem, urging stakeholders to actively participate in trade fairs and other global opportunities. Member of Parliament Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi also highlighted the vital role of agricultural exports in achieving the vision of a “Viksit Bharat 2047” (Developed India by 2047), underscoring the event’s importance in aligning Odisha’s agricultural strengths with global market demands.
The workshop marked a significant step in strengthening Odisha’s agricultural export capabilities, opening up new avenues for the state’s produce on the international stage.
