Rajasthan FPOs explore agro-processing & export Industries through NABARD initiative
More than 50 representatives from 12 Rajasthan-based FPOs participated in the program with well-known exporters based at Unjha in Gujarat.
A group of 12 NABARD-funded Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and their representative farmers from 10 districts of Rajasthan participated in training and exposure visits focused on agri-export, manufacturing, and processing facilities at Unjha, Gujarat, on 20th and 21st November 2024. The two-day agri-export training and exposure visits were organized jointly by NABARD's Agri Export Facilitation Centre (AEFC), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Spices Board of India, the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS), and APMC Unjha, and implemented by the South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), Jodhpur. More than 50 representatives from 12 Rajasthan-based FPOs participated in the program with well-known exporters based at Unjha in Gujarat.
Participants visited several processing and export units, including Asian Spices and Magnilal Jamnadas, which export cumin, coriander, and fennel; Gayatri Psyllium Industries, a manufacturer and exporter of isabgol seeds, husk, and powder; and participated in hands-on pesticide residue analysis at Eureka Analytical Lab. They also observed the open and e-auction of cumin in the Unjha market yard, one of Asia's largest spice trading centres. An agreement for the production of pesticide residue-free IPM cumin and sustainably-produced isabgol and on-farm sourcing of IPM spices and medicinal plants was concluded during the program in the presence of many exporters.
Dr Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder Director of SABC and coordinator of NABARD AEFC, shared insights on the spices market system and the export potential of agro-products from Rajasthan. He emphasized the importance of complying with export norms such as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and quality standards, highlighting the adoption of traceability, sustainability, and regenerative production practices. Dr Choudhary noted that Rajasthan should harness increasing opportunities in the export of agro-commodities, medicinal and aromatic plants, and seed spices by ensuring the production of organic and pesticide-residue-free spices, which can be marketed as IPM-branded products.
Rahul Patil, DDM (Mahesana) NABARD, Gujarat, discussed the FPOs’ role as business development entities and highlighted the issues faced in exports, such as a lack of management skills, experience, and value addition for agro-products. He also discussed NABARD’s role in investment and financing through NABFIN and NABKisan.
Subodh Shah of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Gujarat, discussed APEDA's role in agri-export, its mandated agro-commodities, and how to start an export business, including the necessary registration and certification processes. Sapna Pandey, Deputy Director of the Spices Board of India, provided comprehensive guidelines for spice export from India and highlighted the potential of spice crops in export, rising demand, value addition, and technological advancements for export-quality spice products.
To accelerate the production and export of spices compliant with international standards, Dr Subhash Chandra, Plant Protection Officer (NPPO), recommended that FPOs and farmers adopt judicious pesticide use, follow proper dosages and package practices, and ensure phytosanitary certificates and plant quarantine measures during production and export.
Tejas Gandhi, Secretary of FISS, Unjha, invited FPOs and farmers to participate in the spices value chain, including aggregation and primary processing, and to develop a common industry-farmer platform to elevate spice exports from Rajasthan. He emphasized the production of organic and IPM-based spices with reduced pesticide use and enhanced traceability to avoid contamination, promoting premium prices and profitability for farmers and primary producers.
The NABARD AEFC-produced guidebook, The Agri Exporters Roadmap: From Local to Global, was released and shared with FPOs and farmers during the inaugural session. The program concluded with a comprehensive technical session by export expert Rais Ahmed from Jodhpur, covering export documentation, registration, and order processing. Additional technical sessions focused on agricultural export opportunities, government schemes, and investment and financing options from ICICI Bank.
Each farmer representing FPOs from Rajasthan received a certificate of appreciation jointly from NABARD AEFC, Jodhpur, and FISS, Unjha, during the valedictory session, which concluded with a vote of thanks by Sapna Bohra of NABARD AEFC, Jodhpur.
