Agri-export promotion body APEDA today asked industry and farmers to maintain quality standards so that consignments do not get rejected by the importing countries.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman Krishan Kumar said the food processing industry has tremendous potential.
"Our farmers and industry need to ensure that the farm produce satisfy the minimum standards of quality so that other countries do not reject our commodities on the basis of standards," Kumar said.
He was here to participate in an Outreach Programme for Agro & Food Processing Industry.
"India is the 6th largest exporter of farm produce commodities but we are far behind as far as processed food is concerned," Kumar said, adding that processed food industry has incredible potential.
He further said APEDA is fully committed to promote agri exports. The agency is running various schemes in association with the state government to set up various food processing plants across Punjab.
"Further we need the state government's support to strengthen backward linkages to reach out to the last farmer in the remotest area and educate him at block and village level. We have also identified Punjab as a state which needs drastic infrastructure improvements for various crops and government of India will fund it in association with the state government. We are conducting study in this regard," APEDA Chairman said.
Punjab's Financial Commissioner- Development, Suresh Kumar said, "There is an imperative and urgent need of the Government of India and its related agencies and the Punjab Government to work aggressively and remove the existing disconnect between the farmers and the market which includes the government and private procurement agencies, if we have to improve the fate of the farmers."
He said the farmers were going through a very tough phase and assured full support.
"It is so very depressing and disheartening that, at times the farmers have to cry in fields if there is low production owing to drought or untimely rains. And if the farmers are happy in the fields i.E the production is healthy, they have to cry in the market, because their produce doesn't get them the desired price owing to huge supply and lesser demand and inadequate infrastructure and marketing facilities available".
Regarding the apprehensions on Basmati's demand, Kumar said "there is no reduction in its demand and the exports have not gone down at all.
