The Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) in association with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organised a seminar on ‘Export promotion of agriculture produces from Odisha’ here on Monday.
APEDA Deputy General Manager Dr Sudhanshu, who was chef guest, emphasised on the market, export market and the exporters outside the State. He also said Odisha has a number of export-oriented products. If sufficient quantity of capacity building and sensitisation can be done then the State would definitely grow in exporting agriculture and food produces. The role of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade on Export Index is important, he added.
Export, Promotion and Marketing Director BK Das informed that an Odisha Food Processing Policy is going to be formulated very soon.
OUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr S Pasupalak focused on introduction of cluster farming and on export of agricultural and food products. He said, “Our major goal is to improve agriculture and reduce misery with a socioeconomic approach for the local farmer families.”
Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment Additional Secretary Dhiren Pattnaik pointed out that emphasise should be given to Regulated Market as amended by the State Government time to time.
MSME Principal Secretary lN Gupta said more the exports, more the prosperity and growth and more earning of foreign exchange. He informed that the State’s agro products are very negligible, i.e., 2.87 per cent during 2014-15 and it again came down in 2015-16. He advised the APEDA to extend help for more food processing units.
He also informed that the Idco is the developer of Mega Sea Food Parks at Deras which would start operating soon.
UCCI director general Rajen Padhi deliberated on thde potential markets of agro products of the State.
UCCI president Ramesh Mahapatra presided over the meeting and secretary Prasant Satpathy gave a vote of thanks.
A technical session on ‘Role of APEDA in enhancing export of agro and food products and financial assistance schemes” was also held on the occasion.