The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a statutory body under the Department of Commerce, is spearheading the promotion of agricultural exports, including millets, from India. APEDA provides comprehensive assistance to its registered exporters, particularly those dealing with millets, under the Agriculture & Processed Food Export Promotion Scheme. This support spans infrastructure development, quality enhancement, and market development initiatives, including Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs) for export-market linkages and regular dialogues with Indian Missions abroad to explore export opportunities.
2023, celebrated as the International Year of Millets (IYM – 2023), saw the Government of India employing a proactive multi-stakeholder engagement strategy. This approach involved central government Ministries/Departments, States/UTs, farmers, start-ups, exporters, retail businesses, hotels, Indian Embassies, and others to globalize Indian millets. Various events were organized to promote Indian millets, recipes, and value-added products worldwide. These included the G20 presidency in India, Millet Culinary carnival, international trade events, chefs’ conferences, exhibitions, roadshows, kisan melas, and training for paramilitary forces’ chefs, among others.
A significant development was the declaration of the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, as the Global Centre of Excellence. IIMR plays a pivotal role in sharing best practices, research, and technologies nationally and internationally. The institute offers training on value-added millet food products and supports entrepreneurs in establishing millet-based enterprises. Additionally, IIMR has developed technologies for “Ready to Eat” and “Ready to Cook” millet foods, and promotes the “Eatrite” brand for millet foods.
The ‘Millets Experience Centre (MEC)’ at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi, was inaugurated to increase public awareness and adoption of millets. The government has also advised including Shree Anna-based items in government office canteens and events to encourage its consumption among employees.
Efforts to globalize millets involve partnerships with start-ups, academic and research institutions, Indian missions, processors, retailers, and exporters. An Export Promotion Forum (EPF) dedicated to promoting millets in international markets has been established, along with a millet-specific web portal providing comprehensive information on millets. APEDA’s global marketing campaign includes E-catalogues for 30 importing countries and 21 millet-producing states.
Additionally, APEDA has developed a Virtual Trade Fair (VTF) for millets, offering a global platform for exporters and importers to interact and negotiate deals. APEDA’s participation in international trade fairs like BIOFACH, Gulfood, Natural Products Expo West, International Food and Drink, SIAL Food, and Seoul Food & Hotel has further facilitated global exposure for Indian millet products.
State-wise details of India’s millet exports during 2022-23 indicate Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Bihar as leading exporters. The total export quantity was 169,049.22 MT, with a value of USD 75.48 million.
These initiatives, outlined by the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel, reflect APEDA’s commitment to positioning India as a global hub for millet exports, leveraging the grain’s nutritional benefits and growing international demand.
