TLI Staff
New Delhi: Demand for organic produce from India is on the rise with total exports in value terms recording 50 per cent jump in 2018-19 to Rs 5,151 crore (over $757 million).
Among the major items shipped from the country were flax seeds, sesame, soybean, arhar (red gram), chana (pigeon pea), rice, tea and medicinal plants.
The US and European Union member-countries were the biggest buyers of these organic products.
“There is growing demand from Canada, Taiwan and South Korea in recent years (for organic products). Germany is one of the biggest importers of Indian organic products. Now, many new countries are also taking interest,” said Paban K Borthakur, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
APEDA is a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce, Government of India tasked to develop and promote the export of various agricultural commodities. It is also mandated to provide a platform to showcase India’s quality produce to the global market.
The agency will showcase India’s strength as major hub for organic food products, ingredients, commodities and processed food at the 3-day trade fair Biofach India 2019 to be held in the National Capital Region (NCR) between November 7 and 9.
India produced around 2.67 million tonne (MT) of certified organic products in 2018-19. The main products include oil seeds, sugar cane, cereals & millets, cotton, pulses, medicinal plants, tea, fruits and spices.
Among different states Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. In terms of commodities, oil seeds are the single largest category.
“The total volume of export during 2018-19 was 6.14 lakh MT. The organic food export realization was around Rs 5,151 crore ($757.49 million ). Organic products are exported to USA, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan,” APEDA Chief Borthakur said.
As per APEDA, the demand for organic agri products is on constant increase worldwide as organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
As on 31st March 2019, total area under organic certification process (registered under National Programme for Organic Production) was 3.56 million hectare. This includes 1.94 million hectare cultivable area and another 1.49 million hectare for wild harvest collection.
“Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered largest area under organic certification followed by Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. During 2016, Sikkim had achieved a remarkable distinction of converting its entire cultivable land (more than 76,000 hectare) under organic certification,” the Chairman said.