Export basket of Northeast

Export of maize from Assam to Bangladesh close on the heels of export of 'Assam lemon' (Kaji Nemu) to London and Leteku (Burmese grapes) to Dubai speaks volumes of the huge potential of export of agricultural and horticultural products from the state. It also highlights the importance of diversifying the state's export basket to leverage India's deepening engagement with Bangladesh for trade and commerce. The first consignment of 50 MT of maize from Darrang district's Burigaon area has been exported under the aegis of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC). According to NERAMAC, Bangladesh requires 43 lakh MT of maize every year and this brings an opportunity for maize growers in Assam and other states in the region to tap this huge potential. Apart from Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are also key buyers of Indian maize and India's Act East Policy provides an added advantage to growers in North-eastern states. Kajinemu or Assam lemon is an indigenous citrus fruit of Assam and its high in demand for its flavour which is distinct from other lemon varieties found in the state. Geographical Indication of Kajinemu is an added advantage for export business for producers and exporters. Images of Kajinemu in various supermarkets of London indicate its high demand in the international market. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic gloom with the downturn in national and state economies, the news of export of Agri-Horti products from Assam has revived hopes of organic farming of traditional and indigenous varieties building the resilience of farmers in the region against the pandemic. The first consignment of 250 Kilograms of king chilli with GI tag from Nagaland to London through Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport also point towards Guwahati's potential to become a busy export hub for the entire region. As the green revolution in the country bypassed the northeast region, most agri-horticultural products grown in the region are organic by default which has high demand in the global market. Varieties of Agri and Horti crops are indigenous to the region because of their rich biodiversity and growing awareness about the importance of GI registration among some farmers has helped explore new markets. It has also opened up opportunities for grooming young agri-Horti entrepreneurs to explore careers as exporters with handholding support from NERAMAC and Agricultural Processed Food Exports Development Authority. The Centre and the States in the region playing the role of facilitators and creating the eco-system for harnessing the export potential of agri-Horti commodities can bring more dynamism among the producers and agri-entrepreneurs. India's export of fresh fruits increased from 7,36,946 MT in 2018-19 to 9,56,961 MT in 2021. Wide publicity on the uniqueness of organic fruits grown in the region can help traditional growers to benefit from this growing export market. Fresh fruits and vegetables being perishable commodities, ensuring a cold chain from farm gate to cargo facilities at the airport, steamer ghat or railway yard is critical. Value addition to the products can prevent wastage in the event fall in demand and this can be ensured by setting up food processing units closer to the Agri-Horti farms. Processed food also has a huge export market, and its value chain can create huge livelihood opportunities in packing facilities, marketing, and transportation of commodities from manufacturing units to end markets. Expansion of the market of packing and processing equipment and accessories can also attract manufacturers to come to the region and invest in setting up production units by taking advantage of incentives provided under North East Industrial Development Schemes. Seamless movement of vehicles carrying consignments of fresh Agri-Horti products as well as processed products in the entire northeast region is essential to prevent loss of valuable time in transit from farm gates to cargo facilities. The Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region and North Eastern Council can play a crucial role in impressing upon the states in the region to ease travel restrictions and facilitate smooth and faster inter-state movement of such consignments. Putting in place a digital platform for electronically generating required documents is technologically feasible and ensure seamless movement across the region. Such a system will also put the region into the centre of the Bangladesh, Bhutan India, Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement for facilitating the seamless movement of goods and people in the BBIN sub-region. It will also widen the market of Agri-Horti commodities of the region beyond the region's boundaries and build confidence among farmers, entrepreneurs, and exporters in the region. Besides, farming will become remunerative and create huge employment and livelihood opportunities. The export success stories scripted by the region has opened a window of possibilities and re-established that the region has huge potential to become an export hub of India. The government, policymakers, communities can make this dream become a reality with innovative ideas and the spirit of competitiveness.