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Export of pineapples through AEZ by Bengal has been successful.

Our Bureau

Kolkata, Aug. 31 The key challenge in agriculture processing and exports for Bengal lies in its ability to replicate the State’s success in export of pineapples through Agricultural Export Zones (AEZs) for other fruits and vegetables, according to Mr Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Fruit Processing Industries, West Bengal. The state has AEZs in vegetables, potato, lychee, and mango.

He was speaking at an interactive session on food processing and horticulture industries in Bengal here on Thursday, jointly organised by FIEO, Eastern region and Indian Register Quality Systems (a division under Indian Register of Shipping).Mr Sanjeev Chopra said Siliguri in North Bengal, with proximity to Bangladesh and other South Asian countries, has a potential to emerge as an export hub for food-processing and horticulture in the State.

Giving an overview of the State food processing industries and the incentives being offered he said while incentives offered by States were more or less similar, what really made the difference was the implementation. He said the State was was fully committed on incentives to promote exports and the Government supported by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has now been able to compile a document incorporating the various incentives offered by the different agencies.

The document compiled by the West Bengal State Food Processing and Horticulture Development Corporation Ltd was released at the meet.

Mr Chopra urged the young entrepreneurs in the State to come forward and facilitate export of horticultural produce of Bengal. The State Government has set up an export cell in the department for this purpose. Addressing the gathering, the State Agriculture Minister, Mr Mohanta Chatterjee, said the Government was setting up cold chain infrastructure under the Post Harvest Management component of the National Horticulture Mission to minimise losses.

Pointing out that two more AEZs for vegetables and cashewnut have been proposed in North and South Bengal, the minister said cargo complexes for perishable commodities are being constructed at the Kolkata and Bagdogra airports and the Haldia sea port. A Pineapple Auction Centra at Siliguri is also being constructed to help growers and facilitate exports.

Lamenting India’s minuscule share in the world food-processing export basket, perceived to be a money-spinner for large exporting countries, the minister said food-processing has rightly been recognised as a focus sector (for exports) by the Government of India. He urged the exporters of the region to take full advantage of the various incentives being offered for value-added agri exports from Bengal.

More Stories on : Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables | Exports & Imports | West Bengal

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