Exports of Assam agro-products: Lack of facilities affects small exporters

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Exports from Assam have been on the rise. However, the lack of some important facilities, like facilities for quality test centres, in the state creates troubles for the small exporters. This is apart from the lengthy procedures followed for exports.

According to official sources, with the increase in demand for black rice, red rice, and joha rice in international markets, the state government has proposed to promote organic farming of specialized rice varieties like black and red rice, emphasizing domestic and foreign markets.

According to sources, the main reason behind the high demand for Assam’s rice is its rich iron content and the fact that it is grown organically.

According to sources, due to the hurdles arising from lengthy procedures, small exporters cannot export directly. Keeping this problem in mind, the Government of India has engaged post offices to help the last-mile sellers and buyers in online public procurement through the export centres opened at the post offices. Assam has 28 export centres to provide logistic support to the small exporters and do away with the middlemen in the export business. However, unfortunately, such centres have not picked up pace as yet due to a lack of awareness and other reasons. However, some small exporters of Golaghat, Nagaon, and Sualkuchi are taking advantage of this facility.

According to sources, even now, in most cases, exports from the state take place through some companies or big exporters. The lack of quality testing centres in the state necessitates the testing of products from the state in Kolkata or New Delhi. That is a time-consuming practice. APEDA (Agriculture and Process Food Products Exports Development Authority) has been trying to set up quality testing centres in Guwahati for testing the products of Assam and other states in the region. APEDA is playing an important role in promoting and monitoring exports through collaboration with various stakeholders in the value chain.

According to sources, the first consignment of red rice was flagged off on March 4, 2021, to the United States. On December 20, 2021, Majuli River Bank FPC exported two MT of red rice to Australia, England, and Japan. In January this year, 48 MT of red rice were exported to western countries. Giving boost to rice export potential from the north-eastern region, APEDA exported the first consignment of GI-tagged Joha rice and Aijung rice from Assam to Dubai this year.

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