Question : Export of Organic Foodgrains

(a) whether the Government has taken any special measures for the marketing of foodgrains produced through organic farming within the country and abroad and the details of the contribution of these products to the exports of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the efforts made to promote the marketing of the products produced through organic farming and create awareness about their benefits in the country including Bundelkhand and Uttarakhand during the last three years?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. The National Centre for Organic Farming (NCOF), under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is the nodal organization for organic farming in the country. NCOF implements the National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) to promote production, certification and marketing of organic products. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), introduced by the Department of Commerce, is aimed at regulation and promotion of organic production for exports.

The promotion of exports of organic products is a continuous process. The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of Department of Commerce, has been mandated with implementation of NPOP and export promotion of organic products. APEDA provides assistance to the exporters of organic products under various components of its export promotion scheme. APEDA also undertakes various activities to promote exports of organic products viz. addition of new products under NPOP, making efforts to get NPOP standards recognized by the importing countries, promoting ‘India Organic’ brand through participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, organising Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs), organising capacity building and outreach programmes etc.

India’s exports of organic products amounted to USD 1.04 billion during 2020-21. Organic foodgrains are being exported from the country mainly under the category Cereal & Millets. During 2020-21, 59908 MT of organic products under the category ‘Cereal & Millets’, worth 76 million USD, have been exported from India under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).

Government of India has been promoting Organic farming in the country, including in Bundelkhand and Uttarakhand, through dedicated schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16 to cater to the needs of domestic and export markets respectively. Marketing and branding have been integral part of organic farming schemes. Assistance of Rs 6800/ ha under PKVY and Rs 5000/ ha under MOVCDNER is provided for marketing, branding and trade. Brand ‘Organic Uttarakhand’ has been developed under PKVY for the State of Uttarakhand.
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