APEDA develops software to track grapes
The softwate called 'GrapeNet' makes available the details of the fruit through a click of mouse.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: In an effort to allay the fears of European buyers of Indian grapes, the Agricultural and Processed Foods Product Export Development Authority (APEDA) developed a web-based software that enables the buyers to access details of the fruit shipped to them.
The softwate called 'GrapeNet' makes available the details of fruit like its origin and various stages, including phyto-sanitary tests in the laboratory it has passed through, through a click of mouse.
Importers can access detailed information on inspection, laboratory analysis, certificate of residue analysis and the packaging details on APEDA's website.
The 'GrapeNet' was launched by Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh here on Thursday.
"The pesticide issue is the single most important issue faced by commodities in any international market. Indian grapes have been facing a problem of not being accepted in EU markets due to concerns over pesticide residues," he said.
Grapes contributed 9 per cent of the total Rs 3,500 crore horticulture exports from India last year.
"In 2006-07, India exported grapes worth Rs 250 crore, while this year we are targeting an export of Rs 275-280 crore," he added.
Ramesh asked APEDA to introduce a similar software for mangoes in the next 10-12 months.
The traceability software will help 40,000 farmers apply uniform practices, besides increasing their earnings by more than 40 per cent. APEDA said this will also lead to export value growning from 8 euro to 11.5 euro for a pack of 5 kg, of which farmers would get about 1.1 euro per 1 kg.
The softwate called 'GrapeNet' makes available the details of fruit like its origin and various stages, including phyto-sanitary tests in the laboratory it has passed through, through a click of mouse.
Importers can access detailed information on inspection, laboratory analysis, certificate of residue analysis and the packaging details on APEDA's website.
The 'GrapeNet' was launched by Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh here on Thursday.
"The pesticide issue is the single most important issue faced by commodities in any international market. Indian grapes have been facing a problem of not being accepted in EU markets due to concerns over pesticide residues," he said.
Grapes contributed 9 per cent of the total Rs 3,500 crore horticulture exports from India last year.
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"In 2006-07, India exported grapes worth Rs 250 crore, while this year we are targeting an export of Rs 275-280 crore," he added.
Ramesh asked APEDA to introduce a similar software for mangoes in the next 10-12 months.
The traceability software will help 40,000 farmers apply uniform practices, besides increasing their earnings by more than 40 per cent. APEDA said this will also lead to export value growning from 8 euro to 11.5 euro for a pack of 5 kg, of which farmers would get about 1.1 euro per 1 kg.
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