NABARD Workshop Explores Potential for Agri-Exports in Punjab
A workshop on “Agri Export Promotion Avenues in Punjab” was organised by NABARD Punjab Regional Office, Chandigarh under the leadersip of Dr. Rajiv Siwach, Chief General Manager, NABARD. Dr. Ajay Vir Jakhar, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm workers’ Commission was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The workshop was attended by Officials & Scientists of APEDA, PAGREXCO, PAU, GADVASU, CIPHET, DMI, Horticulture Department, Milkfed, EXIM BANK, NABI, CropIn Technologies. The FPO members, POPI/NGOs and progressive farmers also attended programme.
Dr. Rajiv Siwach in his inaugural remarks highlighted that although India ranks 9th among agri exporting countries, it holds only 3.1% share in agri export. Further, Punjab ranks 13th among all Indian states in contribution towards exports. There is a vast potential to increase farmers’ incomes through value addition, supply chain management and exports. Awareness and capacity building among the farmers in terms of production, processing, practices and compliances are important to compete at the global level. He apprised the enabling role played by NABARD through varied interventions in agriculture production, infrastructure logistics, credit support, mobilisation, capacity building and marketing.
Dr. Ajay Vir Jakhar spoke on potential, issues and solutions for agriculture in Punjab. He emphasised that Punjab has very important role in agriculture and its export. Appropriate planning is need of the hour for ensuring the agriculture production especially keeping in view the climate change effects for the next twenty to thirty years. Punjab has the potential to emerge and establish itself as Agri export hub. He suggested for formation of Marketing Intelligence Cell which may cater to specific needs to develop ecosystem for agri exports.
An in-house presentation on NABARD farm sector interventions in Punjab was made by NABARD. Further sessions on regulatory and other compliances for farmers, State’s “Agri Export strategy”, traceability and blockchain technologies in boosting Agri Exports”, Pesticide use for compliant export in basmati, Credit facilities available for agri exporters were held.
Thereafter, a panel discussion was conducted on “Agri export challenges and potential” wherein awareness creation and information flow to farmers came out as an important catalyst along with requisite training for developing quality, packaging and marketing standards for export promotion. In the open house session, FPO members and POPIs interacted with subject specialists and addressed their queries and issues.
