Vegetables produced by Haridwar farmers makes way to Dubai market

New Delhi, July 26: In a first, vegetables sources from the farmers of Haridwar in Uttarakhand were exported on Monday to Dubai in United Arab Emirates.

The first consignment of vegetables included curry leaf, okra, pear and bitter gourd, said a government statement.

The exports of vegetables come after a consignment of millets grown in Uttarakhand was exported to Denmark in May, 2021.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  (APEDA) in in collaboration with Uttarakhand Agriculture Produce Marketing Board (UKAPMB) and ‘Just Organik’, an exporter, also sourced and processed ragi (finger millet), and jhingora (barnyard millet) from farmers in Uttarakhand for exports which meets the organic certification standards of the European Union.

The Uttarakhand government has been supporting organic farming and UKAPMB, through a unique initiative, has been supporting thousands of farmers for organic certification. These farmers produce mainly millets such as Ragi, Barnyard millet, Amaranthus etc.

APEDA has been carrying out promotional activities to bring Uttarakhand on the agricultural and processed food products export map of India. APEDA is planning to provide financial assistance for setting up a pack house in Uttarakhand which would fulfil the mandatory requirement or infrastructure for export of fresh fruits and vegetables to the international market.

In 2020-21, India exported fruits and vegetables to the tune of Rs 11,019 crore compared to Rs 10,114 crore worth of exports in 2019-20, which is an increase of close to 9%.

APEDA undertakes market promotion activities for export of food products, market intelligence for making informed decisions, international exposure, skill development, capacity building and high-quality packaging.

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