Farmers of Tiruchi region should make use of the huge potential for export of banana, mangoes, and jasmine by adopting the cluster approach and availing themselves of the support of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), said Thangam Ramachandran, Field Officer, APEDA, Bangalore.
Speaking at an awareness programme on “agro food cluster for export promotion”, organised by the APEDA in association with the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, here on Monday, Ms. Ramachandran briefed a group of farmers and exporters on the concept of agro processing clusters and APEDA’s financial assistance schemes for market, infrastructure, quality development, transport, and creating common infrastructure for clusters. The financial assistance given by APEDA for the schemes has been enhanced from 25 to 40 per cent, she said, according to a release issued by the Agriculture Marketing and Agri Business Department.
R. Chandrasekaran, Deputy Director, Agri Business, Tiruchi, emphasised the need for farmers to adopt a cluster approach to meet the increasing global food demand. He urged farmers to improve the quality standards in handling and processing their produce to meet global standards and to cut costs though effective marketing.
ADVERTISEMENT
M. Prabaharan, Agricultural Officer of Agro Marketing Intelligence and Business Promotion Centre, Tiruchi, explained the schemes implemented under the National Food Processing Mission and the role of Agro Marketing Intelligence and Business Promotion Centre in promoting agro processing clusters.
Officials of Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board, Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops and representatives from Horticultural College and Research Institute, attended the meeting.