APEDA to set up infra for storage of bananas in country
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA) will set up infrastructure for storage of bananas in key clusters in India as well as importing countries to boost export potential of bananas and banana-based products.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA) will set up infrastructure for storage of bananas in key clusters in India as well as importing countries to boost export potential of bananas and banana-based products.
Infrastructure for storages, pack-houses and cold storage is proposed to be set up in collaboration with the National Horticulture Mission in key banana cultivation clusters with export potential, an official release said today.
Similar facilities would be created in importing countries as well, as has been created by APEDA for flowers in Rotterdam and is being planned in Dubai and Tokyo.
Speaking at the National Centre for Banana Research in Thiruchirapalli, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said a cluster approach needs to be adopted for export promotion and give the level of competition in the field.
"Unlike global trade, which is controlled by big agri-businesses, India's participation will be driven by small and medium farmers. Considering the nature of competition, a cluster approach will have to be adopted," he said.
While banana production in India has doubled in the past 20 years, Ramesh said the challenge will be to double it in the next 10 years, with emphasis on low-productivity states like Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.
The National Centre is part of the ICAR network and Rs 31 crore has been allocated for it in the 11th Plan, double the 10th Plan's outlay. It is also developing GM-banana to increase disease resistance of important indigenous varieties.
India, the world's largest producer of bananas, accounts for about 23 per cent of the global output. Maharashtra accounts for 25 per cent of the country's production, followed by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Over 5 lakh small and medium farmers work in the sector.
Infrastructure for storages, pack-houses and cold storage is proposed to be set up in collaboration with the National Horticulture Mission in key banana cultivation clusters with export potential, an official release said today.
Similar facilities would be created in importing countries as well, as has been created by APEDA for flowers in Rotterdam and is being planned in Dubai and Tokyo.
Speaking at the National Centre for Banana Research in Thiruchirapalli, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said a cluster approach needs to be adopted for export promotion and give the level of competition in the field.
"Unlike global trade, which is controlled by big agri-businesses, India's participation will be driven by small and medium farmers. Considering the nature of competition, a cluster approach will have to be adopted," he said.
While banana production in India has doubled in the past 20 years, Ramesh said the challenge will be to double it in the next 10 years, with emphasis on low-productivity states like Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.
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The National Centre is part of the ICAR network and Rs 31 crore has been allocated for it in the 11th Plan, double the 10th Plan's outlay. It is also developing GM-banana to increase disease resistance of important indigenous varieties.
India, the world's largest producer of bananas, accounts for about 23 per cent of the global output. Maharashtra accounts for 25 per cent of the country's production, followed by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Over 5 lakh small and medium farmers work in the sector.
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