APEDA facilitating start-ups in the marketing and export of millet-based value-added products
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated around 500 start-ups in marketing and exporting millet-based value-added products. A farmer from Sangrur, Dilpreet Singh, has transformed into an exporter, marking his first export consignment of 14.3 metric tonne of millets, and its products valued at USD 45,803. Chairman, APEDA, Mr Abhishek Dev, flagged off the consignment recently.
The shipment included ready-to-cook millets derived from Kodo millet, Foxtail millet, Little millet, Browntop millet and Barnyard millet. Additionally, flours sourced from Ragi, Jowar, Bajra, Foxtail, Kodo, Barnyard, Browntop, Little and Proso millets were also a part of this unique export endeavour.
Jasvir Singh, the importer based in Sydney, also participated in the virtual flag-off ceremony. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to APEDA for their extensive support in facilitating the collaboration. He expressed optimism about expanding further business opportunities and ensured to continue to import more such consignments in future. The farmer has complete value chain control from end to end which is required by the buyers. He grows millets in his own farms, and primary and secondary processing is done in his own unit including the packaging of international quality.
This success story exemplifies how the agricultural sector can be transformed, with farmers like Dilpreet Singh becoming key contributors in agri export. This symbolises the empowerment of local farmers venturing into international markets.
With an increase in millet exports value from USD 62.95 million in 2021-22 to USD 75.45 million in 2022-23, and with export of USD 45.46 million during April-November 2023, millets are gaining popularity in the global market. There has been significant increase in the export of cereal preparation, including value-added millet products registering a growth of 12.4% over the same period last year, highlighted a release.
Source: Exim News Service: New Delhi, Feb. 22