The agriculture sector is the largest source of livelihood in India. The country is one of the largest producers of agriculture and food products in the world. In 2022-23, India’s agriculture sector growth rate was estimated to be at 3.5% and it was 3.0% in 2021-22. The gross value added (GVA) in agriculture and allied activities grew a targeted 4% for 2022-23. The country produces many crops and food grains such as rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, coffee, jute, sugarcane, tea, millets, cashew nuts, groundnuts, dairy products, fruits, etc.

In this regard, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar in association with MSME Department, Government of Odisha, APEDA and KIIT School of Rural Management Bhubaneswar organized an Awareness Workshop on Agri Exports and Processed Food at Auditorium, KIIT School of Rural Management, Bhubaneswar.  

The session acted as a boost for promotion of agri-based as well as processed food exports from the state enabling exporters to venture new horizons in the global market.  

Prof. Sukumar Dash, Associate Professor, KSRM Bhubaneswar in his welcome address highlighted the scope of agricultural exports from Odisha, potential areas or exportable agri based products, vision and mission of KIIT School of Rural Management to scale up as well as introduce technological advancements in the sector.

Prof. Tapan Panda, Pro-Vice Chancellor, KSOM & KSRM Bhubaneswar in his address highlighted about the Dollar Arbitration, Odisha’s domestic products & it’s potential in the agriculture sector, export opportunities, schemes like Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana, SME Listing for new exporters and also spoke about the Farm to Fork initiative.

Shri. Bibhuti Bhusana Dash, IOFS, Special Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha in his address deliberated on the scope of agricultural exports from the state and how the same can be marketed appropriately in relevant international destinations. He also spoke about the new agriculture policy of Odisha and how this shall act as a boon to accelerate agricultural exports from the state.

Shri. Sitakanta Mandal, Regional Head, APEDA Kolkata delivered a detailed presentation on APEDA and its modalities. He spoke on the products handled by APEDA, mandate vested etc. He highlighted the initiatives undertaken by APEDA like online certifications (RCMC, RCAC, COE, Financial Assistance, Export Returns), AgriTrade Newsletter, International Food Exhibitions, Buyer Seller as well as reverse Buyer Seller Meets, Rapid Alert Monitoring System and various capacity building programs to handhold the exporters. He further deliberated on export agro products from the state for exports, Agriculture Export Policy, key strengths of Odisha as well as the available resources, constraints, and the way forward, International Market Development etc.

Shri. Rajen Padhi, Convenor, International Trade Promotion Think Tank, WTC Bhubaneswar presented a detailed presentation on the nuances of International Trade. He spoke on why to trade with other nations, major highlights of International Trade, Basic Concepts of International Trade, India’s Top 10 trading partners, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), World Trade Organization (WTO), World Customs Organization (WCO) and steps to start an export business. He further deliberated on Importer -Exporter Code (IEC), steps to register an IEC and the documents required for IEC. He also deliberated the Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC), Export Promotion Cell (EPC) etc. In addition to that, he briefed on the pre-shipment documents – Regulatory and Commercial documents, Inco terms,  popular terms used in International Trade, Swift Code, Export Transaction & Bank Realization, Duty Drawback, RODTEP Scheme, modes of payment, types of LC (Letter of Credit), payment risk coverage, payment regulators, Customs Tariff Act 1975 and essential documents for clearance of import cargo. During his address, he also accentuated the modulations of Foreign Trade Policy.

Smt. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar proposed the vote of thanks.

The event was marked by a discussion on potential of agri-based as well as processed food exports from the state. The session also witnessed a Buyer Seller Meet with the existing exporters from Kolkata, India.

Existing Exporters from Kolkata shared their perspective and further encouraged the students to adapt entrepreneurship in agricultural sector. The session also witnessed a highly interactive Q&A Session.

The session was held o Wednesday, 6^th December, 2023 at KSRM Auditorium, Bhubaneswar.