Fruits and veggies from North-East to travel abroad

The Centre’s move to expand the scope of Operation Greens Scheme (OGS) will act as a catalyst for exports of agri-perishables from the Northeast and four Himalayan states and Union Territories with the programme bringing in 22 more perishable agri-produces under its ambit

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

The Indian Diaspora will soon be able to get India-grown fruits and vegetables. With fruits and vegetables produced in the North Eastern states of India meeting food safety standard norms, they have high export potential.

The Centre’s move to expand the scope of Operation Greens Scheme (OGS) will act as a catalyst for exports of agri-perishables from the Northeast and four Himalayan states and Union Territories with the programme bringing in 22 more perishable agri-produces under its ambit. OGS is currently applicable to tomatoes, onions and potatoes (TOPs). The Ministry of Food Processing and Industries provides 50 per cent subsidy through NAFED to its empaneled agencies for the transportation of TOPs from farm gate to its identified storage, following price fall of the produce below three years’ average market price at the time of harvest.

Piyush Shrivastava, senior economic advisor to the ministry of aviation, pointed out at a CII East session that increasing the scope of OGS had called for its alliance with Krishi Udan scheme (KDS). Under OGS, the added perishable items will get air freight subsidy of 50 per cent. This will act as a catalyst for KDS through improvement of air cargo transportation from NE states.

Guwahati would be the major transhipment hub. Around 400 tonne of perishable produces from the Northeast can be transported from Guwahati to London via Delhi

Speaking at the same meeting, Jaideep Raha, chairman of Air Cargo Agents Association of India (Eastern India), said despite challenges in terms of destination compliance, the incentive structure for farmers to use air cargo would boost export of agri-produce from the Northeast. Guwahati would be the major transhipment hub. Around 400 tonne of perishable produces from the Northeast can be transported from Guwahati to London via Delhi.

Shrivastava also said with changing business models, like just-in-time manufacturing, deliveries had to be made faster because product life cycles had shortened. This has also created an appropriate ecosystem to export agri-produce from India since air cargo logistics business has become integral to outsourcing models. A significant chunk of air cargo was now being handled through passenger terminals, he said, adding India handled 25.03 lakh tonne of air cargo in FY 21, though mostly medical items.

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