Indore : Madhya Pradesh is the third largest state in terms of horticultural produce in India and Maharashtra stands a distance fifth. But in terms of exports, our Western neighbour tops the chart while MP stands nowhere. Our state needs to develop horticulture produce infrastructure like packhouse. The state has potential to export banana, mango and potato.
These views were expressed by General Manager (GM) of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Dr Tarun Bajaj while talking to this correspondent.
Dr Bajaj was here to deliver a lecture on promotion of horticulture exports. APEDA is a non-commercial export promotion organisation of government of India and acts as a vital link and conduit between industry and the government. It also helps in giving assistance and guidance for promotion of exports of fruits, vegetables and their products, meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, dairy products etc.
In agro-trade, India stands sixth in the world. Its export share is 2.4% or $43.5billion (in 2014-15) while imports share is 1.5% with a ninth rank and total value of exports is $27.3 billion.
Here are excerpts of his interview:
What is production and export scenario of horticulture produce in MP?
Major crops grown in the state are paddy, wheat and maize among cereals. It also produces green pea, cauliflower, lady’s finger, tomato, potato, brinjal, onion and other vegetables. Mango, guava, orange, melon, papaya, banana are the major horticulture produce.
What all are clusters of horticulture crops in the state?
Betul, Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Jabalpur, Indore, Alirajpur, Ujjain, Dewas, Barwani, Shajapur, Shujalpur, Khandwa, Khargone, Jhabua, Dhar, Burhanpur, Neemuch, Sehore, Sagar, Chhindwara, Harda, Guna, Mandsaur and Ratlam are the major areas which produce mangoe, orange, guava, pomegranate, jujube, banana and garlic, coriander, chilli and flower.
What is the export potential of horticulture produce from the state?
Despite being the third largest horticulture producer in the country, exports from the state is negligible. Off course, there is vast potential for export of horticulture produce from the state. As far as potential is concerned, banana, citrus fruits, guava, mangoes, papaya, potato, onion, peas, brinjal and okra can be exported.
What are factors hindering exports of horticulture produce?
Quality of produce and packing are two issues hindering our exports. State farmers are producing in bulk but they lack in giving attention to quality. This does not mean the produces are bad but the produce sometimes contains insecticides, which is more than the permissible limit. In exports of perishable items, packing is important.
How can hurdles be removed?
With joint efforts of the state government and APEDA, packing hurdles can be removed. We are exploring possibility to set up common packhouse facility in clusters for processing. We may explore for requirement of common infrastructure at ports also. Similarly, orientation programmes for exports should help. Value addition to produces like mango and orange jams, juices, squash etc and potato flour and chips, dehydrated onion flakes, frozen peas, sauces and concentrates can also help in boosting export of horticulture produces from the state.
