In a landmark achievement, for the first time cashew nuts have been shipped from Odisha to Bangladesh.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has successfully facilitated the shipment of cashew nuts.
The consignment, comprising 2 metric tonnes of premium quality cashew nuts, was exported by the Paaf Global Pvt Ltd. This step not only strengthens economic ties between India and Bangladesh but also opens up new avenues for the agricultural sector in Odisha, officials said.
The cashew nuts, sourced from the renowned company “Passion Gourmet” run by a dynamic women entrepreneur in Odisha, signify a blend of quality and empowerment. The initiative holds particular significance as it aligns with the broader mission of promoting women-led businesses and developing economic growth in the region, they said.
To mark this historic occasion and to celebrate the National Cashew Day on November 23, the APEDA, in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, organised an Export-Oriented Capacity Development Programme in Bhubaneswar.
This programme was designed to sensitise Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), inspiring them to venture into the field of agriculture exports. By encouraging them to become exporters, the initiative aimed to eliminate middlemen from the supply chain, thus maximising farmers’ income.
The shipment was both virtually and physically flagged off by Abhishek Dev, Chairman-APEDA in the presence of senior officers of APEDA, Arabinda Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Saswat Mishra, Principal Secretary, MSME, and other senior officers of State Government, NABARD and Customs, etc.
Around 40 members of FPOs/FPCs from cashew-growing districts witnessed the flag-off ceremony.
Subrata Ghosh, Managing Director of Paaf Global Ltd, stated, “This successful shipment not only represents a significant achievement for the cashew industry in Odisha but also reflects the potential for growth and collaboration in the agricultural sector between India and Bangladesh.”
Subsequent shipments of cashew nuts from Odisha are being planned for some other global destinations, including Bahrain and Qatar, as committed by the exporter.
