Question : AEZS FOR LYCHEE VEGETABLES AND HONEY

(a) whether Agriculture Export Zone (AEZ) for Lychee, Vegetables and Honey has been set up in Bihar;

(b) if so, the details thereof, district-wise;

(c) the details of works carried out through the above zones for increasing the productivity and improving quality;

(d) the details of export of Lychee, Vegetables and Honey from Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi during the last two years;

(e) whether certain deficiencies/ irregularities have been noticed in the implementation of the scheme at Muzzaffarpur and Sitamarhi; and

(f) the remedial steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a-c) Yes, Madam. Agriculture Export Zone (AEZ) has been set up in Bihar in respect of Lychee, Vegetables and Honey AEZs in the districts of Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Hajipur, Vaishali, East and West Champaran, Bhagalpur, Begulsarai, Khagaria, Sitamarhi, Saran and Gopalganj. AEZs have been conceptualized to take a comprehensive look at a particular produce/product located in a contiguous area for the purpose of developing and sourcing the raw materials, their processing /packaging, leading to final exports. The works carried out through AEZs in general are Farmer Training, Pre Harvest Management, Infrastructure Development, Research and Development activities and Quality Control.

(d) District wise details on commodity specific exports are not maintained.

(e) Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) which is the nodal agency for implementation of AEZ projects, has reported that they have not received any report about deficiencies/ irregularities in the implementation of scheme of AEZ in Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi.

(f) Does not arise.