The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the export of 1 metric tonne (MT) of GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal from Karnataka to the Maldives, marking an effort to expand overseas markets for India’s region-specific agricultural products and strengthen the role of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in agri exports.
The consignment was flagged off on September 24, 2026, and will be transported to the Maldives by sea. It was exported by Mysuru-based Silken Global Exports and Imports through its FPO-led brand.
A key feature of the export-linked value chain is the higher price realisation for farmers. According to APEDA, while the prevailing market price of Gulbarga Tur Dal is around Rs. 60 per kg, farmers receive Rs. 82 per kg through the export-linked channel. This represents a price realisation that is more than 30 per cent higher than the prevailing market price.
The initiative is also aimed at enabling FPOs to participate more closely in export-oriented value chains and establish direct linkages between producers and international markets.
Gulbarga Tur Dal Gets Global Market
Gulbarga Tur Dal, associated with the Kalaburagi region of Karnataka, received Geographical Indication (GI) registration in 2019. The dal is recognised for its distinctive taste and quality and is an important agricultural product of the region. APEDA lists Gulbarga Tur Dal among Karnataka’s registered GI products. Kalaburagi is one of the major centres of tur cultivation in Karnataka, with pulses playing an important role in the state’s dryland agriculture and rural economy.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev said taking India’s GI-tagged agricultural products to international markets can help build stronger market linkages for farmers. He said the export of Gulbarga Tur Dal to the Maldives provides an opportunity to strengthen the product’s global identity and explore further market expansion.
The latest shipment is expected to pave the way for regular exports of Gulbarga Tur Dal to the Maldives, creating sustained market opportunities for producers and exporters in Karnataka. It could also support higher value realisation for farmers while enabling FPOs to integrate more closely with export-oriented agricultural value chains.
APEDA Pushes GI-Tagged Agricultural Exports
The consignment was flagged off in the presence of APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev. Senior APEDA officials and industry representatives, including Senior Consultant Tarun Bajaj, General Manager Vinita Sudhanshu, Managing Director of KSPAML, Gulbarga, V. Sadashiva, and Imran Pasha of Silken Global Exports and Imports, Mysuru, attended the event.
The initiative is part of APEDA’s broader efforts to facilitate exports of GI-tagged and other value-added agricultural products. It also highlights the potential for region-specific Indian agricultural products to access international markets through organised export channels and FPO-led brands.